A Revisit on Zonal Macrobenthic Communities in Chokchon Tidal Elat, Incheon, Korea, After the Survey in 1986

An investigation on the zonal communities in Chokchon macrotidal flat, Incheon, Korea, was carried out on July 1994, eight years after the initial survey done by Frey et al. (1987a and b). A survey transect (4 km long) was established with 41 stations having an equi-interval of 100 m. Macrofaunas were sampled in July 1994. R-mode cluster analysis and ordination analysis (detrended correspondence analysis or DCA) were performed. The aims of the investigation were to: (1) observe the distribution and abundance patterns, including zonation of benthic macrofaunal communities in the area; and (2) gain information about faunal changes between two different periods. The primary feature of distribution was corresponded with Frey's zonation, and this was shaped by three level-specific species groups. Significant changes in dominant species were detected when compared with the faunal assemblages of 1986. The bivalve mollusk, Meretrix petechialis, seemed to have disappeared. Two newly arrived organic pollution indicator species, Theora fragilis and Capitella capitata, were regarded as impregnable proof of response to eutrophication, although the concrete evidence on the eutrophication source was not found.