Interdependence of environmental parameters and sand dwelling benthic species abundance: a multivariate approach

Abstract

Multivariate analysis showed dependence of distribution and abundance of sand dwelling fauna on more than one ecologically significant environmental parameters rather than one ecological master factor. Salinity, grain size, beach gradient, dissolved oxygen and availability of food together formed significant factors to explain 76% of the total variables. Canonical variate analysis further revealed interdependence of abiotic and biotic factors showing high value of correlation coefficient (P less than 0.001). It is postulated that one can predict the occurrence of species and their abundance at a tropical beach under given condition and time at given place, provided there is no disturbance factor (s)-pollution and/or human interference.