Study of Macro-Benthic (Invertebrate) Fauna around Digha Coast

The organisms that live on, or in, the bottom of a water body with >1.0mm size are known as macrobenthic organisms which mainly consists of different invertebrates viz., molluscs, cnidarians, crustaceans, sponges, worms, etc. Benthic invertebrates play an important role in transitional ecosystems, by filtering phytoplankton and then acting as a food source for larger organisms such as fish, thereby linking primary production with higher trophic levels. They also structure and oxygenate the bottom by reworking sediments and play a fundamental role in breaking down organic material before bacterial remineralization.