Foraminiferal fauna from the Cochin backwaters: Biological indicators of man-made changes in the environment

Abstract

Sixty foraminiferal species belonging to 38 genera and 23 families have been recorded from grab sediments of the Cochin backwaters. Of all the species Ammonia baccarii is the most dominant and successful form in the throes of fluctuating salinities ranging between 3.27 and 35.96 x 10 sup(-3 in the area. Among abiotic factors salinity has a major influence on the faunal distribution. Present study on the diversity and distribution of foraminifera indicates that there is no adverse effects on marine life as a result of deepening of the navigational channel by dredging. Navertheless, further reclamation of marshes/wetlands will have a very adverse effect on backwater habitats rich in foraminiferal fauna.