Diversity of benthic fauna of rhodoliths and sediments deposited on sandstone reefs in Southeast Brazil

Neves, Sabrina Brahim das; Costa, Karla Gonçalves da

doi:10.1590/2675-2824070.21029sbn

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…Rhodolith beds are known to support a high diversity of associated fauna, including macroalgae, epifauna and infauna, as well as fish (Moura et al, 2021; Nelson et al, 2014; Neves & Costa, 2022). In the Mediterranean, crustaceans, polychaetes and sometimes molluscs are the main contributors to faunal diversity (Bordehore et al, 2003; Deidun et al, 2022; Maggio et al, 2022; Sciberras et al, 2009).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Habitat characterization, anthropogenic impacts and conservation of rhodolith beds off southeastern Malta

Tabone,

Knittweis,

Aguilar

et al. 2024

Aquatic Conservation

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Rhodolith beds, including maerl, are structurally complex perennial habitats that support a high species diversity but are threatened by numerous human activities, particularly in the Mediterranean Sea. Despite their global ecological importance, increased research efforts are needed to facilitate development of effective measures to conserve these habitats. Two areas hosting rhodolith beds are known to occur off the coast of Malta (central Mediterranean), but only one has been previously studied. Through analysis of video footage collected from 56 different stations coupled with a desk study on human activities, the present study characterized the rhodolith bed located off the southeastern coast of Malta, including its extent, rhodolith morphotype composition, associated megabiota and impacts of anthropogenic activities thereon. The bed occurred at depths of 60–95 m and covered an area of approximately 200 km2, making it the second most extensive rhodolith area reported for the Mediterranean to date. It was dominated by spherical and branched rhodoliths whose cover reached a maximum of 74% but was more often <50%, similar to other Mediterranean rhodolith beds. A total of 84 different megafaunal species were recorded, suggesting that the diversity of megafauna associated with rhodolith bed habitats has been previously underestimated. A number of human activities, including extensive vessel anchoring and officially designated areas for aquaculture, bunkering and trawling, overlap with the mapped rhodolith distribution, highlighting the risk of habitat degradation. A holistic approach to the management of all the competing activities and interests relative to the southeastern coast of Malta that gives due consideration to this newly characterized rhodolith bed and the threats it faces is therefore recommended. The legal framework and policy recommendations for better conservation of rhodolith bed habitats in the Mediterranean and European Seas are also discussed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Habitat Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitat characterization, anthropogenic impacts and conservation of rhodolith beds off southeastern Malta

Tabone,

Knittweis,

Aguilar

et al. 2024

Aquatic Conservation

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“…This EBSA criterion applies to areas that contain comparatively higher diversity of ecosystems, habitats, communities, or species, or have higher genetic diversity. Rhodolith beds, like coral reefs, are biodiversity hotspots because they create living habitats with high structural heterogeneity (Kamenos et al, 2003;Otero-Ferrer et al, 2019), which is reflected in a higher associated biodiversity than common adjacent substrata (Steller et al, 2003;Teichert, 2014;Neves and Costa, 2022). For instance, Nelson et al (2014) found 103 macroalgal species associated with northern New Zealand rhodolith beds, equivalent to ca.…”

Section: Biological Diversitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Levelling-up rhodolith-bed science to address global-scale conservation challenges

Tuya

Schubert

Aguirre

et al. 2023

Science of The Total Environment

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“…Structural complexity has also been linked to a prominent group of red coralline algae, the Rhodoliths (Harvey and Bird, 2008;Stelzer et al, 2021;Neves and Costa, 2022). They create a porous habitat that enhances individual and bed physical complexity (Gabara et al, 2018, Cerqueira Veras et al, 2020, Goodsell et al (2004) 23 , Gunill (1982) 24 , Hacker and Steneck (1990) 25 , Harvey and Bird (2008) 26 , Hauser et al (2006) 27 , Hooper and Davenport (2006) 28 , Hughes (2010) 29 , Hull (1997) 30 , Karr (2011) 31 , Kelaher and Castilla (2005) 32 , Leite and Turra (2003) 33 , Lenzo et al (2023) 34 , Lilley and Schiel (2006) supporting significantly higher diversities than non-living beds or adjacent bare sediments (Robinson, 2015;Stelzer et al, 2021;Neves and Costa, 2022), or even some kelp beds (Schoenrock et al, 2018). Along with complexity, the depth (shallow or deep, in tropical or polar latitudes, respectively; Mikhaylova et al, 2019;Cerqueira Veras et al, 2020) and density of these beds also contribute to biodiversity.…”

Section: The Influence Of Individual Seaweed Featuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Macroalgal features and their influence on associated biodiversity: implications for conservation and restoration

Gibbons,

Quijón

2023

Front. Mar. Sci.

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Studies examining the relationship between seaweeds and the diversity of associated organisms have been attempted far less than those focusing on the influence of terrestrial plants. That is troublesome considering the growing number of studies reporting the decline or local loss of macroalgae because of ocean warming and climate change. Since the fate of macroalgae will have an influence on associated organisms, this brief overview examined the different roles played by macroalgae, making the distinction between morphological features associated with individual seaweed species and those associated with populations or habitats. Most studies at both (individual and population) levels have identified positive relationships between morphological features such as structural complexity (including fractal dimensions) and invertebrate biodiversity, and the abundance of various faunistic groups. Some of these relationships are stronger than others, often with complex outcomes, suggesting that the current and future ecological benefits provided by macroalgae are strongly species- and habitat-dependent. While the displacement or local-scale loss of seaweeds may continue because of climate change, the features identified here may become useful in light of conservation and restoration efforts.

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Diversity of benthic fauna of rhodoliths and sediments deposited on sandstone reefs in Southeast Brazil

Cited by 5 publications

References 57 publications

Habitat characterization, anthropogenic impacts and conservation of rhodolith beds off southeastern Malta

Habitat characterization, anthropogenic impacts and conservation of rhodolith beds off southeastern Malta

Levelling-up rhodolith-bed science to address global-scale conservation challenges

Macroalgal features and their influence on associated biodiversity: implications for conservation and restoration

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