Poole Harbour (UK), one of the worlds largest natural harbours, supports terrestrial and marine habitats that are protected under National, European and International designations. Recent introduction of mechanical dredging in the cockle (Cerastoderma edule) fishery raised concerns among conservation groups that this new method may have a damaging effect on infaunal benthic communities that form critical food resources for shorebirds. This research investigated ecological impacts of cockle dredging on infaunal communities, using statistical analysis to look at community change in...