Ecological study of the benthos of the mangroves and surrounding beaches at Gazi Bay, Kenya - Summary.

Abstract

This thesis is part of the EC-project ”Dynamics and Assessment of the mangrove ecosystem in Kenya” (1989-1992). Its general aim is to analyse the mangrove ecosystem in all its elements in order to propose conservation strategies. To understand the intrinsic ecology of mangrove areas (fig. 1) and the interaction between mangrove areas and other ecosystems, such as oceans and coral-reefs, it is necessary to study as many compartments of the ecosystem as possible. My contribution to this project is the study of the benthos (e.g. infauna); so far few data exist about the ecology of benthic communities in the tropics (RUWA, 1990). The community-ecological picture of the meio-and macrozoobenthos of the mangroves of Gazi Bay, near Mombasa, Kenya, is presented. Habitats differing according to the type of mangrove vegetation (namely Avicennia, Bruguiera, Ceriops, Rhizophora and Sonneratia) and to the sediment in all its characteristics (e.g. sandflat-mangrove, inundation,...) are investigated. The abiotic data have been written down as completely as possible. Densities, diversities and biomass data of the benthos (e.g. infauna)have been calculated and, where possible, mathematically processed in order to produce a reliable community ecological pattern.