Meiofauna and its sedimentary environment as an integrated indication of anthropogenic disturbance to sandy beach ecosystems

The accuracy and applicability of the Nematode/Copepod index (N/C) in monitoring the effects of environmental disturbances is controversial. In this study, we used an integrated approach that includes both meiofauna and the sedimentary environment to demonstrate a tourism-induced disturbance gradient among sampled beaches. We also analysed the relationships between meiofauna and environmental factors. The results showed that disturbed beaches were characterised by high values of meiofauna abundance, chlorophyll a content, total organic carbon content and N/C but lower levels of dissolved oxygen. The chlorophyll a and dissolved oxygen contents were found to be the most important factors for explaining the disturbance gradient amongst the beaches. The N/C index had a positive relationship with chlorophyll a and a negative relationship with dissolved oxygen. There was no significant relationship between N/C index and total organic carbon content.