Ecological control of polychaete distributions in the Changjiang estuary and adjacent waters

The horizontal and vertical distributions of polychaete species, biomass, and density values in the Changjiang estuary and adjacent waters reflect primarily variable rates of sediment input and accumulation. Three areas are noted, one with relatively low biomass and density but a high percentage of polychaetes (rapid accumulation of Changjiang sediment), a second with variable but generally high biomass and density associated with lower rates of sediment accumulation, and a third with very low biomass and density as well as low percentages of polychaetes (fine sands associated with low sediment influx).