Community Structures of Benthic Macrofauna in Reclaimed and Natural Intertidal Areas in Bahrain, Arabian Gulf

Costal reclamation has been carried out extensively along the coastlines of Arabian Gulf during last decades. As a small archipelago country, coastal continues to be major option for securing land meet needs expanding population and economic development in Bahrain. Macrobenthic communities often reflect integrity ecosystems as they respond natural anthropogenic stressors. This study characterized community structures macrobenthic invertebrates three reclaimed intertidal areas protected mudflat Bahrain (August 2019 December 2020). sediment characteristics differed significantly between areas. A total 43 species were recorded four areas, which 38 collected from mudflat. Polychaetes dominated communities, followed by molluscs crustaceans. accounted more than 90% monitoring is considered essential detecting changes marine due dredging activities Gulf. The findings this can provide insights into ecological dynamics environmental planning management