Changes of the Macrobenthos Community with Non-native Mangrove Rehabilitation (Kandelia obovata) and Salt Marsh Invasion (Spartina alterniflora) in Ximen Island, Zhejiang, China

Macrobenthos organisms are vital ecological components of intertidal wetlands. This work studied effects non-native mangrove rehabilitation (Kandelia obovata) and salt marsh invasion (Spartina alterniflora) on macrobenthos communities in Ximen Island (Zhejiang, China). The were compared between rehabilitated K. obovata forests five different stand ages (2-, 8-, 11-, 16-, 60-year-old) adjacent S. alterniflora non-vegetated mudflat. Compared to the mudflat, increased abundance, Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H’), Margalef's richness (d’) macrobenthos. Gastropoda abundance was high marsh, whereas, malacostraca biomass low. Within forests, positively correlated with age mangroves (Spearman Correlation, P < 0.05), but corresponding H’, d’ Pielou's evenness (J’) showed negative correlations. dominated over younger stands (2–11 years age), phascolosomatidea bivalvia more abundant older (16 60 age). Noticeably, highest for recorded from 11-year-old stand. differed among habitats, divergence community structure increasing age, be significantly planted 16 ago. Since 16-year-old exhibited similar features 60-year-old stand, we speculated that, case macrobenthos, a forest can reach its maturity level at time period about 15 Island.