Distribution of benthic communities in a hypertidal estuary: Mapping potential prey resources for juvenile common sole Solea solea

Benthic macrofauna of the intertidal zone in the Severn Estuary was characterised, and its implications for
potential food availability for juvenile common sole (Solea solea), a commercially valuable species, were discussed. Although the Severn Estuary supports fish assemblages of conservation interest, its role in sustaining
juvenile fish populations remains poorly understood. Identifying high-quality habitats for juvenile sole is
essential for effective conservation planning and ecosystem-based management. Direct measurements of habitat
quality, such as fish abundance, growth, and contributions to adult population are challenging to obtain in
hypertidal, complex systems like the Severn Estuary. Therefore, existing high-resolution benthic datasets were
used to provide a first-order approximation of habitat quality and establish a baseline for future investigations.
Because food availability strongly influences fish growth, distribution, and survival, examining prey assemblages
offers valuable ecological insight. Benthic community structure was described across the intertidal area and
statistically related to environmental variables, with a particular focus on habitat type. Results indicate that
Habitats of Conservation Interest (seagrass beds and Sabellaria alveolata reefs) support greater potential prey
diversity, whereas mudflats host higher potential prey biomass. Given the extensive mudflats in the estuary and
the abundance of key sole prey taxa they harbour, intertidal mudflats are likely important feeding grounds for
juvenile common sole. This study represents the most comprehensive invertebrate survey of the area, providing
crucial insights into potential prey availability for juvenile common sole. These findings can inform conservation
and management strategies in the Severn Estuary