Integrating natural and anthropogenic factors in assessment of benthic ecosystem disturbance: A biotic index approach from the southern Baltic Sea

The Baltic Sea, with its semi-enclosed and nutrient-rich waters, can serve for compelling case studies to understand coastal dynamics amidst anthropogenic pressures. We assessed the levels of benthic disturbance across various coastal locations along the southern Baltic, focusing on water and sediment parameters and benthic community structure. We revealed significant differences in ecological status measured by the AMBI index, largely influenced by the quantity and quality of organic matter in sediments. While the disturbance level along the southern Baltic coast was generally low, moderate anthropogenic disturbances were noted in deeper parts of Puck Bay, similar to those in the highly impacted part of Szczecin Lagoon. In contrast, the sandy open coast exhibited the highest ecological quality due to high hydrodynamics preventing organic matter accumulation. Our study underscores the effectiveness of AMBI in detecting ecological changes within complex environmental dynamics and emphasize the importance of integrating natural and anthropogenic factors in ecosystem health assessments.