Behavioural Responses of Cerastoderma edule as Indicators of Potential Survival Strategies in the Face of Flooding Events

According to climate change scenarios the incidence of extreme events, such as flooding, is expected increase worldwide. In current context, understanding behavioural responses marine species stressors essential, especially for high ecological and economic interest bivalves, which can be quite useful future management conservation actions. this study, a laboratory experiment using different salinity conditions was undertaken assess potential cockles (Cerastoderma edule), survival strategy facing low-salinity stress during riverine flood events. Results showed consistent patterns burrowing/emergence variation: with salinities individuals were observed buried in sediment; when decreased, organisms actively emerge, <10, found exposed at sediment surface. These changes may response flooding: once surface, hydrodynamics transport towards areas that are more suitable