Ecological Studies of Selected Beaches of Mumbai Coast: Univariate and Multivariate Analysis

A study was carried out to examine the biodiversity status of the intertidal region of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bandstand and NCPA (National Centre for Performing Art). Three transects (T1, T2 and T3) were fixed at each shore and 15 quadrates with size of 0.1 sq m area were sampled from each transects. Total of 50 species were recorded from all the three sites. Diversity indices including Shannon's diversity index , Simpson's diversity index, Margalef richness index, Pielou's index etc. revealed a rich diversity and moderate pollution at these sites. The multivariate analyses Bray ? Curtis similarity matrix, Hierarchical Clustering, Ordination of samples by Non metric Multi ? Dimensional Scaling (MDS) revealed the highest relationship between Neritidae and Planaxidae family. Among all the physico - chemical parameters salinity established the highest relationship with biological parameters. Abundance/ biomass comparison (ABC) curve with W statistics have also revealed moderately polluted status for shore of TIFR, Bandstand and NCPA. However, Bandstand shore seems to be less disturbed as compared to other two sites.