Biology, Vol. 14, Pages 1447: Impacts of Harvesting Activities on the Structure of the Intertidal Macrobenthic Community on Lvhua Island, China

Biology doi: 10.3390/biology14101447

Authors:
Shuhan Wang
Yuqing Wang
Jiaming Ou
Jianing Sun
Kaiyi Wang
Qiao Zou
Jianqu Chen
Li Li
Kai Wang
Shouyu Zhang

Human harvesting exerts significant pressure on intertidal ecosystems, yet its impact on community structure remains insufficiently understood. To assess these effects, we investigated macrobenthic communities on Lvhua Island and adjacent islets by integrating ecological surveys, questionnaire data, and Remote Sensing Ecological Indices (RSEI). We analyzed species composition, biomass, density, and diversity indices across seven sampling sites. Results showed distinct spatial variation: the eastern Lvhua Island exhibited higher biomass and density than the west, with the remote Manduishan islet highest and the South of West Lvhua near the pier the lowest. Harvesting hotspots were dominated by Chlorostoma rusticum and Cantharus cecillei, while less-disturbed islets were characterized by Chl. rusticum, Thais luteostoma, and Turbinidae. Economically valuable gastropods showed signs of miniaturization under intensive harvesting. Biodiversity indices correlated with RSEI, and ABC curve analysis indicated moderate disturbance overall, with the greatest impact at the Donglvhua Bridge site. These findings indicate that a daily subsistence harvest of 100–150 kg resulted in a 31.82% decline in the Shannon-Wiener index, altering the community structure. RSEI provides a cost-effective complement to field monitoring and should be integrated into management frameworks to support both ecological conservation and community livelihoods.

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Shuhan Wang www.mdpi.com