Macrofauna community patterns in a Chiloe Island channel used intensely for aquaculture: the ecological status of its benthic environment

Abstract Background It is known that aquaculture may produce negative environmental effects on marine ecosystems. Southern Chile one of the most important salmon and mussel-producing areas in world. Here we assess ecological status benthic communities near farming centers Caucahue Channel, Chiloe, which has been used intensely for mussel production 30 years. Methods The macrofauna, sediments water column were characterized at distances 5 to 100 m from three centers. Information was also obtained reference sites 500 3000 these farms. macrofauna conditions during winter analyzed using uni- multivariate analysis AZTI Marine Biotic Index (AMBI) as an indicator community condition. Results (i) There a high degree spatial dissimilarity variables among sampling types environments (far or centers) between northern southern channel; (ii) sediment structure (mean grain size percentage total organic matter) correlated with observed dissimilarities communities; (iii) level perturbation according AMBI heterogeneous, undisturbed/normal range moderately disturbed/polluted. Conclusions We found sites, channel. community-environment are useful tools define geographic area different scales, all information each sample replicates.