Determination of functional structure of soft-bottom marine macrobenthic communities of the Samsun Shelf Area using biological traits analysis

Abstract Biological Traits Analysis (BTA) was used to investigate the functional structure of marine macrobenthic communities along Samsun Shelf Area (SSA). Benthic samples were collected seasonally from five different locations and at four depths using a Van Veen grab sampler. Macrofaunal distributed in SSA assessed 10 biological traits identify characteristic for each depth location. It found that variability benthic ecosystem functions driven by such as maximum size, living habit, sediment position, feeding mode type reproductive behavior. Bivalves, polychaetes crustaceans small medium biodepositing, burying themselves (burrowers) suspension relatively more abundant 0–60 m. However, biomass Amphiura , Abra Papillicardium some characterized large sizes, diffusive mixing, free on deposit subsurface showed higher values below 60 In general, it is concluded infauna has adapted physical disturbance, this area consist mainly taxa resistant mechanical pressure.