Contrasted impact of two macrofaunal species (Hediste diversicolor and Scrobicularia plana) on microphytobenthos spatial distribution and photosynthetic activity at microscale.

Microphytobenthos is most often the primary source of carbon for coastal soft-sediment communities, especially in intertidal and shallow subtidal environments. The influence of benthic macrofaunal organisms on microphytobenthic biomass, spatial distribution and photosynthetic capacities is not only resulting from their feeding intensity but also indirectly from their bioturbation activity, which regulates nutrient fluxes and sediment mixing. This study compares the impact of two species (Hediste diversicolor and Scrobicularia plana) that dominate macrofaunal communities in estuarine intertidal mudflats on microphytobenthic biomass and photosynthetic activity.