Evaluation écologique des eaux marines côtières de Mostaganem par l’utilisation de la macrofaune benthique

Abstract

The impact of increasing human activity on the Mediterranean coast, manifested in urban expansion and the growing discharge of untreated liquid waste, is leading to a sharp deterioration in the quality of coastal water bodies. The coastal region of the province of Mostaganem is no exception to this environmental crisis, which threatens ecosystems of high heritage value. To ascertain the extent of these changes, we assessed the health of these environments using macroinvertebrate communities as ecological indicators and biological tools. Our study is based on a qualitative and quantitative monitoring of invertebrate communities present on the rocky seabed in the middle coastal zone. The study is based on sampling at three stations subject to distinct and varying human pressures: Stidia, Kharouba and Hadjadj. Structural analysis and biological classification of these sites were carried out by calculating key parameters, namely species richness (S), abundance (A) and dominance (D), combined with diversity indices (H’) and distribution indices (J’). The environmental indices calculated in this way clearly show a gradual deterioration of the environment along the coast. The Stidia site is characterized by a high diversity of organisms with a homogeneous biological distribution, confirming the relatively protected nature of this site. The environment at the Hadjadj station, on the other hand, shows a moderate balance. Meanwhile, the Kharouba site suffers from a severe imbalance in its animal fauna, a direct result of human-induced disturbances. These results highlight the urgent need to establish long-term monitoring networks in order to better protect the biodiversity of the Mostaganem coast.