Seasonal dynamics and structure of soft-bottom assemblages in the Bay of Blanes

The seasonal dynamics and community structure of the soft-bottom benthic macroinfauna, inhabiting shallow sublittoral habitats in Blanes Bay (northwest Mediterranean Sea), were investigated from March 1992 to March 1993. Macroinfaunal abundance and biomass varied seasonally with a peak during spring, decreasing sharply in summer and reaching low values in winter. Mean annual biomass was higher in the most sheltered and disturbed sediments (4.5 g dry weight m-2). Lower biomass values were obtained at the other two sites (3.4 g dry weight m-2 and 1.7 g dry weight m-2). Organic matter content of the sediments showed different patterns among stations and did not explain the variability in abundance and biomass