Benthic communities of the inner Argolikos Bay

Benthic assemblages of the inner Argolikos Bay were investigated as an indication of the quality of the marine environment of the area. Samples were taken with a Ponar grab at 5 and 10 m. The assemblages found corresponded to two communities of the infralittoral (SVMC and SFBC) and one of the circalittoral (VTC). Communities of the two zones were clearly separated. The variety of substrata offered by the presence of plants is the most probable cause for the higher diversity found in the shallower stations. Although diversity is relatively high, the abundance of Capitella capitata and Levinsenia gracilis indicates that the shallow stations are moderately disturbed, probably due to organic loading.