Effects of vehicle traffic and trampling on the macrobenthic community of Amazonian macrotidal sandy beaches

Abstract We report for the first time effects of vehicle traffic and beachgoer trampling on macrobenthic communities Amazonian sandy beaches. Sampling was performed during four consecutive months with different beach use intensity in 2017 (before, vacation, two after vacation period) three contrasting beaches regard to disturbance (Urban: Atalaia; Intermediate: Farol-Velho; Protected: Corvinas) intertidal zone along equidistant transects at seven sampling stations from high-tide water mark swash zone. At each station, biological sediment samples were randomly collected. Also, compaction determined using a manual penetrometer. Physical variables remained constant over all beaches, whereas differences found months. Macrobenthic community density richness among observed Atalaia Farol-Velho In contrast, Corvinas throughout study period. Furthermore, vulnerability polychaetes Thoracophellia papillata , Scolelepis squamata Paraonis sp. indicates that they might be potential indicators recreational activity impact.