A methodology for quantifying the responses of benthic communities to environmental perturbations. Final report

A multiple discriminant method of community analysis is explored and developed as a technique for characterizing and comparing benthic macrofaunal assemblages. The analysis is applied to data collected in the tidal portion of the Potomac River. The method clearly demonstrates that the responses of community structure to substrate variations can be described quantitatively. Arguments are presented for applying the method to the detection of community responses to environmental perturbations. Stratified sampling designs are required along an environmental gradient. Furthermore, the analysis provides for the identification of indicator species.