| Macroepifauna of mixed sediments was quantitatively studied at three stations in the Bay of Brest. Samples were collected with the quantitative video dredge Aquareve II. Sampling performance varied from 6.1 to 55.6 m2 according to the mesh diameter of the net (10, 40, and 70 mm) and the quality and quantity of the hard structures lying on the bottom. The efficiency of the different sampling options is tested. The ecological analysis shows differences between epifaunal assemblages, which are mainly explained by the characteristics of the ruggedness in each station. Ruggedness is defined in terms of quality and quantity of hard structures (pebbles, gravel, shells, coraline algae and macroalgae) lying on the sediment surface. Hard substrates act as... |
