[01] Prabhakar R. Pawar, Veer Wajekar Arts, Science and Commerce College, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

In this study, density, biomass and diversity indices of selected macrobenthos were assessed from substations along Sheva creek and Dharamtar creek mangrove ecosystems of Uran (Raigad), Navi Mumbai, west coast of India from April 2009 to March 2011. A total of 86 species of macrobenthos representing 61 genera and 45 families were identified comprising of gastropods, pelecypods, cephalopods, polychaetes, sponges, crabs, prawns and shrimps. Higher values of density, biomass and diversity indices were recorded during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon than the monsoon. Diversity values in the study area ranged from 0.203 to 0.332 indicating heavy pollution and the macro benthic fauna is under stress due to discharge of domestic wastes and sewage, effluents from industries, oil tanking depots and also from maritime activities of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), hectic activities of Container Freight Stations (CFS), and other port wastes. This study reveals that macro-benthic fauna from mangrove ecosystems of Uran is facing the threat due to anthropogenic stress.

Biomass, Community Structure, Diversity Indices, Species Composition, Uran

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