title: The amphipod Talitrus saltator as a bioindicator of human trampling on sandy beaches.
abstract: The present paper assesses the use of the supralittoral amphipod Talitrus saltator as a bioindicator of the effects of human trampling on the supralittoral sandy band. Samplings in delimited areas were carried out at sites subjected to different human impact. The results showed a strong negative correlation between the number of swimmers and the sandhopper population density, while there was no clear relationship between sandhopper abundance and the other factors considered: granulometry, compactness and organic carbon content of the sand, and trace metal contents in the sand and sandhoppers. A field test of trampling conducted in a confined space showed its direct negative effect on sandhopper survival. However, trace metal analysis confirmed the ability of T. saltator to bioaccumulate some elements (Hg, Zn, Cu, Cd). Our study demonstrates that T. saltator is a good bioindicator of human impact in the supralittoral zone of sandy shores.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Biologia Animale e Genetica, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Firenze, Italy. ugolini_alb@dbag.unifi.it
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ugolini
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ungherese
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Somigli
authors.forename: Giuditta
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Galanti
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Baroni
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Borghini
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cipriani
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nebbiai
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Passaponti
authors.forename: Silvano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Focardi
mesh_terms: D033304:Amphipoda / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001493:Bathing Beaches; D002244:Carbon / Q000032:analysis; D017753:Ecosystem; D006802:Human Activities; D006801:Humans; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis; D010316:Particle Size; D011156:Population Density; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016138:Walking
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D002244:Carbon; D012822:Silicon Dioxide