Benthic macrofauna of three sandy beaches with different morphodynamic states

Abstract

Sandy beaches are constantly under intense physical disturbance (wave action, currents and tides), which define their characteristics and divided them into at least three morphodynamic states: dissipative, intermediate and reflective beaches. In order to analyze the intertidal biodiversity of sandy beaches with different morphodynamic, we selected three different exposed beaches in the south-central coast of the State of São Paulo. We will analyze the benthic macroinvertebrates (community structure and zonation), the relationship with the physical aspects (hydrodynamics and sediment) and differences between summer/winter. The sediment will be collected at low tide on 5 transects with 10 levels each, and sieved with a mesh of 0.5 mm, the retained animals will be stored in 70% alcohol for later laboratory analysis. In the laboratory, the bodies will be identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level and will be calculated on the diversity and abundance of different species of macrofauna. The data will be analyzed and compared among the three selected places, generating new information about the biodiversity of these coastal beaches of Guarujá, São Paulo and assisting in reducing the knowledge gap on the south coast beaches of São Paulo. (AU)