Invertebrate mesofauna as environmental bioindicators in coastal ecosystems in the APA Costa dos Corais, Alagoas, Brazil

Abstract

The restinga and mangrove ecosystems have been impacted by anthropogenic disturbances. In this context, invertebrate mesofauna plays an important role as a bioindicator of soil quality. This study aimed to evaluate the composition of invertebrate mesofauna in coastal ecosystems within the Costa dos Corais Environmental Protection Area. The research was conducted in June and September 2024 within the Costa dos Corais Environmental Protection Area, in Maceió, Alagoas. Ten samples of soil+litter were collected in each area for mesofauna quantification. Ecological indices, soil temperature and moisture content, and the presence or absence of taxonomic groups were analyzed, in addition to applying the t-test and Pearson correlation. The organisms proved to be sensitive to seasonal variations, with higher abundance recorded during the rainy season. The Acarina group was the most abundant in both areas. The restinga area exhibited greater abundance and richness. In the mangrove area, microplastics were detected in the soil, which may represent an additional stress factor for the mesofauna. Soil temperature and moisture content influenced mesofauna abundance in the restinga but had no observable impact in the mangrove. Environmental, anthropogenic, and biological factors influence mesofauna composition, underscoring the need to conserve the Costa dos Corais APA