The structure and taxonomic composition of sublittoral meiofauna assemblages as an indicator of the status of marine environments

A study was conducted between 1997 and 1999 to investigate meiofauna assemb lages from selected inshore and offshore locations around the UK coast. The main objective was to relate the differences in meiofauna distribution pat terns to a number of measured environmental variables and to establish more clearly the sensitivity of meiofauna communities to anthropogenic disturba nce. Results from univariate and multivariate data analyses show that disti nct spatial differences in species distribution patterns exist and that the se correlate with the natural physical characteristics and concentrations o f trace metals in the sediment. Abundance and diversity of meiofauna assemb lages were generally higher offshore than inshore and this difference can b e attributed to both natural processes and anthropogenic impacts. The inclu sion of meiofauna in applied monitoring programmes offers the potential for improving the resolution of the spatial extent of anthropogenic impacts ov er that achievable from macrofauna investigations alone.