Multiscale patterns in the diversity and organization of benthic intertidal fauna among French Atlantic estuaries

Based on a parallel sampling conducted during autumn 2008, a comparative study of the intertidal benthic macrofauna among 10 estuarine systems located along the Channel and Atlantic coasts of France was performed in order to assess the level of fauna similarity among these sites and to identify possible environmental factors involved in the observed pattern at both large (among sites) and smaller (benthic assemblages) scales. More precisely this study focused on unraveling the observed pattern of intertidal benthic fauna composition and diversity observed at among-sites scale by exploring both biotic and abiotic factors acting at the among- and within-site scales. Results showed limited level of similarity at the among-site level in terms of intertidal benthic fauna composition and