RECOVER MAP 3.3.3.8 Benthic Macroinvertebrate Monitoring

Benthos may be valued in terms of their links with other resources, as well as containing representatives which are themselves commercially harvested (e.g., crabs, shrimps, flatfish). Unlike many other biotic or chemical measures, benthos reflect environmental conditions at specific areas because adults of most benthic invertebrate species are either sessile or of limited mobility. As constant features of the bottom sediments, benthos vary predictably in association with the physical habitat and in response to man made changes. Thus, they are good indicators of locally induced environmental changes.