Abstract: Due to the differences in the principles of biological index and the habitat characteristics of the study area,the evaluation results were different when using different evaluation indexes to evaluate the regional habitat quality.It was more important to analyze the applicability of the existing indexes in the evaluation than to propose a new index.Based on the survey data of macrobenthos in spring(March) and autumn(October) of Xinghua Bay in 2016,this study firstly used different benthos evaluation indexes(Shannon Weaver index H',AMBI,and M-AMBI) to evaluate the benthos environment quality of Xinghua Bay,and analyzed the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of each index.By comparing the results of the three indexes and analyzing the correlations between them and the factors of sediment and water quality,the applicability of the biological evaluation index in the Xinghua Bay was explored.The results of the three indexes were consistent in spring,but different in autumn.The M-AMBI and H' indexes had better correlation with nitrogen and phosphorus in water.The M-AMBI index was the best index for the assessment of benthic environment quality in Xinghua Bay,which was characterized by low organic concentration,sensitive species as the main composition of macrobenthos and obvious seasonal change of biomass.The overall evaluation results were good in spring and average in autumn.It was also found that the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of benthic environment quality were closely related to the factors such as the river entering the Bay,aquaculture activities and the tide power of Xinghua.This study analyzed the application and applicability of the existing biological index in Xinghua Bay,hoping to provide theoretical support for the ecological monitoring and management planning of Xinghua Bay.