Benthic biotopes: abiotic and biotic factors in the sediment

A benthic biotope is a distinct area in the bottom sediments with uniform physicochemical environmental factors and a specific assemblage of species inhabiting this environment. The diversity and functions of benthic communities have been reported in a wide variety of habitats. Within an ecosystem, the species diversity and abundance of benthic organisms vary, primarily due to abiotic and biotic factors. The intensity of sunlight and depth of the water column determines the extent of primary productivity as well as the quality and quantity of organic matter produced by the biological pump. These factors, in turn, affect the type of organic matter available for the sediment-dwelling organisms. Spatiotemporal variations in temperature also determine the distribution of benthic organisms both directly and indirectly. The biotic factors influencing the benthic communities are the trophic level interaction like predator-prey relationships and also the influence of bioturbation and bioirrigation. Bioturbation influences the benthic organisms by the availability of oxygen, nutrients, increasing sediment mixing depth, and also increasing the flux of nutrients from the sediment to the overlying water column.