Ecology of benthic production in the coastal zone of Goa

Abstract

Qualitative and quantitative differences in the spatial temporal distribution and production of benthic macrofauna in pre- and post-monsoon were observed and the differences are discussed in relation to the environmental factors. The fauna was comprised of Polychaeta (58.5%), Mollusca (18.1%), Crustacea (9.1%), Echinodermata (7.1%) and other minor taxa (7.3%). Population count and biomass varied from 25 to 7823 m-2 (X- = 1256 m-2) and 0.2 to 2251.25 g m-2 (X- = 67.07 g m-2) respectively. The higher biomass was mainly contributed by the brown mussel Perna indica. It is deduced that the benthic standing crop could possibly sustain a high yield of demersal fish catch than what is being exploited at present