Benthic foraminifera are deemed sensitive indicators of environmental conditions. Triggers and magnitudes of faunal response to environmental changes are yet poorly constrained. Benthic foraminiferal faunas were monitored annually at Ria Formosa (Algarve, Portugal) coastal lagoon since 2013. Distinct environmental changes were recognised during the monitoring period. The relocation of a tidal inlet in winter 2015 effected faster flushing, higher tidal levels, and stronger currents in the Esteiro do Ancão tidal channel. The epibenthic foraminiferal species Asterigerinata mamilla increased in abundance and the population densities of the whole fauna were double as high as before inlet relocation. Enhanced sediment redeposition was recorded and extensive polychaete colonies successively replaced firmground patches with oysters. The standing stock of the foraminiferal fauna declined in the next year due to food impoverishment, while the high hydraulic energy levels and high percentages of Asterigerinata mamilla maintained. Benthic foraminifera responded much faster to environmental perturbations than macroorganisms identifying them as powerful proxies in environmental studies.

底栖有孔虫被认为是环境状况的敏感指标。动物对环境变化的反应的触发因素和程度尚未得到很好的限制。自2013年以来，每年对Ria Formosa（葡萄牙阿尔加威）沿海泻湖的底栖有孔虫动物群进行监测。在监测期内，人们认识到了明显的环境变化。2015年冬季，潮汐进口的搬迁影响了Esteiro doAncão潮汐通道的冲水速度加快，潮汐水位更高以及水流更强。附生的有孔虫物种Asterigerinata mamilla丰度增加，整个动物种群的密度是入口搬迁前的两倍。记录了沉积物再沉积的增强，大量的多壳类集落相继用牡蛎代替了坚硬的斑块。由于粮食匮乏，有孔虫类动物的存量在第二年下降，而高水力能水平和高比例的Asterigerinata mamilla则保持不变。底栖有孔虫对环境扰动的反应要快于大型生物，因为它们在环境研究中是有力的代理。