The macrobenthos inhabiting sandbanks in Langstone Harbour, Hampshire

Summary

	(1) Attention is drawn to the lack of published data concerning the macrobenthic fauna of deposits of clean sand in the Solent area.
	(2) The major environmental parameters of three sandbanks associated with Langstone Harbour are summarized.
	(3) A total of 49 macrobenthic species were recorded intertidally and their frequency of occurrence and maximum density determined for each sandbank.
	(4) Apparent differences in the exposure of the three sandbanks were reflected not only in sediment diversity but also in species abundance and composition: greater shelter resulted in greater diversity of both sediments and fauna. Polychaetes, bivalves and crustaceans all occurred on the more sheltered banks but on the most exposed, crustaceans predominated while bivalves were absent.
	(5) The results of this paper reveal a broad similarity between the fauna of the Langstone Harbour sandbanks and comparable deposits elsewhere.
	(6) Evidence is presented to suggest that although many species have fully recovered, a number, especially bivalves, remain far less common or absent since the severe winter of 1962/63.
	(7) Several species new to published data for the Solent area, and one new to the south coast of England have been recorded in littoral and shallow sublittoral samples.