Amphipod crustaceans and environmental disturbance: a review

Abstract

This review of the literature shows that amphipod crustaceans create disturbance through predation on commercial harvests, attacks on macroalgae, introductions as exotic species, and interference competition. Amphipods are also affected by disturbance events, both man-made and natural. Anthropogenic disturbance includes environmental alteration by toxins, oil, organic enrichment, acidification, salinity alteration, and ships' wakes. Natural disturbances are space clearance by the feeding activities of other fauna, and physical disturbance by sediment erosion and ice scour.