Abstract: Based on the surveys on benthic macroinvertebrates in the saline algae zone of Chongming Dongtan, three different types of functional group were classified according to feeding habits, life forms and traditional taxonomic characteristics. Then the compositions and spatialtemporal distribution characteristics of the functional groups were analyzed. Total 19 species were recorded during the surveys. The dominant species (IRI>20) were all from Bivalvia. The results proved that the compositions of the functional groups had obvious spatial and temporal variation characteristics. For a specific functional group and the corresponding total functional groups, the variations of spatial distribution appeared to be more significant than those of temporal distribution. The spatialtemporal distribution characteristics of the total functional groups varied with the classification types. The density and the number of species of the total lifeform functional groups showed the most significant spatialtemporal variations, while the total feedinghabit functional groups appeared to have the least. To the parameters of a specific functional group, the epifauna of the lifeform functional group proved to have the most significant spatialtemporal variation characteristics. It seems that the different functional group classifications focus on the different aspects of the benthic macroinvertebrate communities; further studies may be needed to combine them together to reflect the integral information of the system.

Key words: fine root respiration, soil warming, nonstructural carbohydrate, respiration acclimation.