Polychaete diversity and its relevance in the rapid environmental assessment of Mumbai Port

Abstract

The diversity and spatial patterns of polychaetes, a proven proxy for environmental assessment studies, were studied in 28 stations covering subtidal and intertidal segments as well as bunders and docks of the Mumbai Port. Univariate and multivariate analyses of polychaete data were used to determine the level of environmental degradation in various segments of the port area. The dominance of the deposit feeder, Paraprionospio pinnata along with a reduction in species diversity can be considered as indicator of stressed conditions