Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

BENTHIC MACROFAUNA BIOMASS OF THE MIGRATORY SHOREBIRDS FEEDING GROUND IN THE INTERTIDAL WETLAND HABITATS, WEST COAST OF PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

A. Arshad and K.M. Riak

Abstract

The biomass of the benthic macrofauna of the wetland habitat of Kuala Selargor Nature Park (KSNP) and ..ludflats at Kapar and Pentai Remis, retained by a sieve of 0.5 mm, has been estimated.The total biomass ranges to abcut 59.4 ± 0.25-40.56 ± 0.22 (mudflats at Pantai Remis) 44.3 1 ±0.3-27.5+0.3 (mudflats a Kapar) and I I .47±0.27-8.07-0.24 g AFDW m.2 (KSNP) was recorded during pre-migration and migration period of shorebirds. Average and total biomass significantly decreased between pre-migration and during migration period ol shorebirds in all study sites and the decrease being 18.85%, 23.4% and 17.4% in Pantai Remis, Kapar and KSNP respectively.The relative contribution of the major taxonomic groups in each season to the total biomass also varies significantly (P<0.0 I) between the taxa. During pre-migration period on the mudflat of Kapar and Pantai Rem is, bivalves were accounted for (9.23g AFDW m-2 (43.4%) and 28.64 g AFDW m*2 (48.22%) of the total biomass respectively. While during migration period, bivalves made up 11.5 g AFDW (41.8%) and 16.246g AFDW m*2 (40.08%) in Kapar and Pantai Remis respectively. Whereas, at the KSNP the highest contribution to total biomass was derived from gastropods, both in pre-migration (6.52 gAFDW m2;56.8%) and during shorebirds migration seasons (4.71 g AFDW; 58.36%).