Macrobenthic community of a tropical bay system revisited: Historical changes in response to anthropogenic forcing

The present study examines historical perspectives of the macrobenthic community in response to different phases of anthropogenic perturbations in Kakinada Bay, a tropical embayment on the east coast of India. Multivariate analysis of the snapshot data (1958–2017) revealed considerable changes in the Bay environment following a breakwater construction across the Bay mouth in 1997. Subsequently, port expansion activities, industrialization, urbanization, and geomorphic alterations in the Godavari delta brought deterrent changes in the Bay. The fluctuations over the years in hydrographical and sediment characteristics increased environmental heterogeneity and caused significant spatio-temporal shifts in the macrobenthic community between 1995-1996 and 2016-2017. The observed variabilities were suggestive of anthropogenic perturbations of the system with future repercussions on Bay ecosystem functioning. Overall, this study provides evidence on the long-term impact of anthropogenic activities on coastal marine communities and stresses the importance of macrobenthos as bioindicators of such changes in tropical systems. [Display omitted] •First-ever multi-decadal benthic study (1958-2017) from the Indian sub-continent.•Long-term changes evident in hydrographic and sediment properties in Kakinada Bay.•Environmental perturbations caused spatio-temporal historical shifts in benthos.•Bivalves and Gastropods responded differentially to anthropogenic stressors.•Proportion of detritivores and carnivores increased within the Bay since 1995-1996.