Roles of Macro-benthic Invertebrates in Egyptian Waters

Benthos refers to organisms (plants and animals) living on or in the bottom of aquatic ecosystems including marine brackish and freshwater environments. Environmental factors such as depth salinity and sediment type significantly influence the composition and richness of macro-benthic communities.Egyptian aquatic environments encompass the Nile River Egypt's primary freshwater source and the marine coasts of both the Mediterranean and Red Seas. Numerous studies have highlighted the diverse roles of macro-benthic invertebrates in these ecosystems. Key roles include serving as food sources within the food chain providing nutrition for humans and being sources of marine natural products used in medical and economic sectors. Additionally they act as bio-indicators of environmental health.However some macro-benthic invertebrates have adverse roles such as acting as intermediate hosts for diseases like schistosomiasis producing toxins harmful to humans and being invasive species that damage the environment and economy. Marine fouling organisms also play a detrimental role in marine industries by impairing infrastructure and increasing maintenance costs.