Benthic communities in the area of Rabac (northern Adriatic Sea)

Abstract

       In 1979-80, a survey of benthos in the area of Rabac, a tourist resort, was made. The biological material was collected by grab and by divers, and processed according to standard methods.

       Several benthic communities were identified which are otherwise distri­buted elswhere in the northern Adriatic Sea. The meiofauna in sandy and silty deposits was found to be rich in species; a clear numerical dominance of nematoda was established. The composition and diversity of the marine flora and fauna indicate that the area of Rabac is not yet influenced by pollution, except the city harbour and the vicinity of the autocamp, where slight degressive alterations in benthic communities were noted.