Benthic and Pelagic Fauna in an Estuary During a Closed Phase

Abstract: : The purpose of studying the biological organisms in the Mpenjati estuary-beach system is to distinguish between organisms and estimate diversity within the estuary found at different locations along the estuary-beach profile in accordance with factors affecting the daily routines of these marine life and other aspects in which these organisms concur with. The organisms found in these waters play an important role in the ecosystems they function in therefore it is imperative to seek a way to keep a close relationship between the estuary-beach systems to prevent breaks in the ecosystems. The goal of an estuary-beach system is to be able to sustain and diversify the life that exists in these biomes. ‘Organisms that live in beach-estuary systems are phytoplankton, zooplankton and fish (in the water-column) and microphytobenthos, macrofauna and meiofauna which inhabit the sediment. The above mentioned organisms are the main organisms that drive ecosystem functioning in a beach-estuary system’. If the present environments had to disappear, there would be devastating effects not only in the biological sector but also the environmental and economical aspects. To avoid catastrophes among ecosystems, tests need to be performed in essence to keep the ecosystems from being harmed. If, for example, diatoms and dinoflagellates were to be removed from the food web due to certain chemical factors many organisms (mollusc larvae, copepods, etc) will not have a food supply therefore resulting in the extinction of many organisms. This leads to disruptions in the ecosystem. The preservation in estuaries is vital for the study of past life and climates, as well as present living organisms and the abiotic factors influencing them.
Introduction: In the Mpenjati beach-estuary system organisms that contribute to a variety of factors and ecosystem functioning include a diverse range of meiofauna, macrofauna, zooplankton, fish and other species that live in either a benthic or