Spatial Patterns of Macrozoobenthos Assemblages in a Sentinel Coastal Lagoon: Biodiversity and Environmental Drivers

This study presents an assessment of the diversity and spatial distribution benthic macrofauna communities along Moulay Bousselham lagoon discusses environmental factors contributing to observed patterns. In autumn 2018, 68 stations were sampled with three replicates per station in subtidal intertidal areas. Environmental conditions showed that range water temperature was from 25.0 °C 12.3 °C, salinity varied between 38.7 3.7, while average pH values fluctuated 7.3 8.0. vegetated habitats, biomass seagrass Zostera noltei Hornemann ranged 31.7 gDW/m² 170.2 Ruppia cirrhosa (Petagna) Grande 54.2 84.7 gDW/m². Sediment analyses is mainly composed sandy silty sediments. We recorded 37,165 individuals distributed 63 taxa belonging 50 families, a mean abundance value 4582.8 ind/m² 22.2 g/m². Distance-based linear modeling analysis (DISTLM) identified sediment characteristics, parameters habitat type (biomass Z. noltei) as major drivers influencing macrozoobenthos Our results clearly revealed hydrographic regime (marine terrestrial freshwater), characteristics (vegetated vs. unvegetated substrate) are key determining species composition patterns assemblages.