Effects of reclamation methods and habitats on macrobenthic communities and ecological health in estuarine coastal wetlands

Abstract This study compared the community structure of macrobenthos in bare tidal areas and vegetated regions under two reclamation patterns, fully enclosed and opened reclamation, in Yangtze wetland, China. Compared with fully enclosed reclamation areas, opened reclamation areas had higher water salinity, higher number of species and abundance, and less disturbed habitat health status. Compared with bare tidal areas, vegetated regions were more suitable for the survival of macrobenthos and its habitat health status was more stable. Salinity, pH and larger soil particle diameter were positively associated with macrobenthic diversity, while total nitrogen and total phosphorus were negatively associated. Overall, compared with fully enclosed reclamation and vegetated regions, opened reclamation and bare tidal areas had less negative effects upon macrobenthic community and habitat health. Opened reclamation is preferred for wetland reclamation, and planting indigenous plants and releasing species adapted to fresh water is beneficial to the restoration of macrobenthic communities.