Decadal change in sublittoral macrofaunal biodiversity in the Bohai Sea, China

► Change of biodiversity in the Bohai Sea, China was assessed from 1980s to 2000s. ► Assessment of biodiversity was based on species diversity and species relatedness. ► No deleterious change of sublittoral macrofaunal biodiversity was observed. ► About one fifth stations in the Bohai Sea were subjected to environmental stress.