Effects of coastal reclamation on riverine macrobenthic infauna (Sungei Punggol) in Singapore

Abstract

A three-year annual survey (1998-2000) was carried out at Sungei (= River) Punggol of Singapore to investigate the effects of coastal reclamation on macrobenthic community. Family number and abundance of macrobenthos significantly decreased close to the reclaimed area but significantly increased away from it during the survey period. Community structure of macrobenthic infauna also changed significantly over time. Very few benthic animals were found near the reclaimed area, and family number and abundance of macrobenthos increased with distance from the reclaimed area. These results suggest that reclamation has a damaging effect on macrobenthic community and significantly changes the community structure of macrobenthos, but may be beneficial to benthic infauna beyond the reclaimed area.