Factors Influencing the Distribution of Bivalve at Intertidal Zone of The Sungai Nipah, The Pesisir Selatan Regency, West Sumatera

Abstract

This study has been done in March 2013. It aimed to find out the factors that have influenced on the distribution of bivalves in the intertidal zone of Sungai Nipah bay. The purposive sampling method was used to choose three stations at the intertidal zones of the bay.The occurrences of bivalves and the frequencies of disturbanceswere recorded. Other parameters on the sites were also measured either in the field or in the lab. As a result, there were 21 species found in the area understudy. Other findings were: 1) the further the sites from the coast line, the more abundance the animals were, 2) opposite to the organic content in the sandy substrate, the increase of both current speed and disturbances, had shown influence on the decrease of abundance; although there was no different distribution pattern between the stations observed. Other parameters on the habitats showed there were no influence on the abundance and the distribution pattern