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Following earlier studies on Chichester Harbour my BSc project surveyed a selection of sandy sediment sites within
the harbour, identified by Thomas (1987) and Thomas and Culley
(1981).
The results obtained from my sampling were compared as best as possible
with the data from the other studies, but this was made difficult due to
the nature of the presentation of the other studies results and the absence
of vital site data.
The sediments of the sites were analysed to determine particle grades (Phi
grades) in order to quantify the degree of sorting of the sediment and
hence the sediment type. The study also investigated distribution,
abundance and species richness of organisms in the ten sites analysed, and
related the findings to factors which may determine these aspects of
species occurrence.
The most abundant organism in all studies was the gastropod Hydrobia ulvae,
which was also the most widespread. The most species rich group found
in this study was the polychaetea, with 11 species, next was Crustacea with
10 species.
The results showed a marked difference between the studies and sites.
In my study site 2 had the greatest species richness and abundance, site 3
had the least, findings not supported by the previous studies.
Compared to the other studies all sites had lower species richness, sites
1,2 and 3 were the only sites with higher abundance than in the other
studies.
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