Coralligenous assemblages along their geographical distribution: Testing of concepts and implications for management

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ÇINAR M. E., Feral J., Arvanitidis C., David R., TAŞKIN E., Sini M., ...More

AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS, vol.30, no.8, pp.1578-1594, 2020 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 30 Issue: 8
  • Publication Date: 2020
  • Doi Number: 10.1002/aqc.3365
  • Journal Name: AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, Aqualine, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), Artic & Antarctic Regions, BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, Environment Index, Geobase, Greenfile, Pollution Abstracts, Veterinary Science Database
  • Page Numbers: pp.1578-1594
  • Keywords: algae, benthos, biodiversity, biogeography, circalittoral, coastal, habitat management, invertebrates, reef, ECOLOGICAL STATUS ASSESSMENT, TAXONOMIC RESOLUTION, ALIEN MACROALGAE, COMMUNITY, POLLUTION, INDEX, SEA, COASTAL, VARIABILITY, PATTERNS
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The coralligenous habitat was studied at the large Mediterranean scale, by applying a standardized, non-destructive photo-sampling protocol, developed in the framework of the CIGESMED project. The results provided evidence to support the following statements: (a) the assemblage pattern is not homogeneously distributed across the four Mediterranean ecoregions studied (biotic gradients hypothesis); and (b) the assemblage pattern does not change significantly when the information is aggregated to higher taxonomic levels (taxonomic sufficiency hypothesis). Surrogate taxonomic categories higher than species, such as genus and family, can be used to reveal the multivariate pattern of the coralligenous assemblages. Although preliminary at the pan-Mediterranean scale, these outcomes set the scene for future comparisons as more data sets become available but also for comparisons between taxonomic and functional patterns. 1.2.3.4.