Variability of macrobenthic assemblages under abnormal climatic conditions in a small scale tropical estuary

Macrobenthic assemblages associated with mangrove mud flats were studied at three stations in the Dagua River Estuary (Colombian coast, Tropical Eastern Pacific) to assess broad distribution patterns with relation to hydrographical and sediment conditions during the cold (La Niña) phase of the 1997–2000 El Niño/Niña Phenomenon (ENSO Niño/Niña). During the study period, abnormal water and interstitial temperature, high dissolved oxygen and low salinity conditions were present in the water column of the small scale (5.5 km long) estuary, reducing its extension and moving estuarine conditions downstream. Sediment samples were collected for sediment analysis (grain size, water content) and biological studies (specific composition, relative abundance, diversity, evenness and trophic structure) from quadrates (25 × 25 cm) located in the lower, middle and upper regions of the estuary. Macrobenthic assemblages at the upper estuary were composed of 78 species and dominated by Tanaidaceans, suggesting the direct effect of freshwater inflow, and by some polychaetes in the lower region, showing marine influence. Diversity and evenness increased along the salinity gradient from the upper region of the estuary towards the lower region. Surface deposit feeders (SDF, 72.2%) and sub-surface deposit feeders (SSDF, 21%) were dominant as trophic groups. SDF were the most abundant group in the upper estuary, SSDF dominated the lower estuary. These patterns were controlled by the abnormal conditions generated by the cold phase of ENSO (Niño/Niña) in water temperature, higher deposition of organic matter and low salinity that changed the estuarineʹs typical macrobenthic assemblage structure, with dominance of marine species to one characterized by few abundant freshwater species (Tanaidaceans, insects).