Research on the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of Helice tientsinensis in Red Beach of the Liaohe estuary

Red Beach, one important tourist resource in the coastal area of Panjin, Liaoning province, is composed by Suaeda heteroptera community.However, the red beach has degradated severely in recent years.Our preliminary results have found that the crab consumption (mainly by Helice tientsinensis) of Suaeda heteroptera is a great driving force in limiting the germination and growth of Suaeda heteroptera.So it is important to find out the distribution characteristics of Helice tientsinensis in coastal areas of Liaohe estuary for the conservation and restoration of Red Beach.In our present research, we studied the temporal and spatial distribution of Helice tientsinensis in Red Beach by pitfall trap method.The results demonstrate that the density of Helice tientsinensis is significantly monthly dynamic, which shows Jul. > Aug. > Jun. > Sept. > Oct. > May. > Nov.Moreover, the density of Helice tientsinensis decreases significantly when it is close to the estuary.We also found that the density of Helice tientsinensis is confined by different habitats.The density in habitats is:Suaeda-Phragmites ecotone > Phragmites community > Suaeda community > Suaeda-mudflat ecotone > mudflat.In this paper, the temporal and spatial distribution of Helice tientsinensis was investigated and analyzed to provide supports for Red Beach conservation and management.