Functional diversity in three Mediterranean transitional water ecosystems

Sigala, Kalliopi; Reizopoulou, Sofia; Basset, Alberto; Nicolaidou, A.

doi:10.1016/j.ecss.2012.06.002

Cited by 31 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Further studies on community analysis based on a range of biological traits, and not just those currently tested, could better contribute to the study of ecosystem functioning (Sigala et al, 2012). However, the effect of the natural instability is also reflected in the functional diversity of the lagoons, as most of the species dominating these habitats can be considered as being less specialised as regards food, as shorter lived, with large population fluctuations and shorter life cycles, high reproductive rates, and greater dispersal potential.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the ecological status of Mediterranean coastal lagoons using macroinvertebrates. Comparison of the most commonly used methods

et al. 2014

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Benthic communities were studied twice (during the autumn and spring) in three Mediterranean coastal lagoons located in Greece (Logarou) and Italy (Cesine and Grado-Marano). The species composition and distribution, community diversity, species richness, dominant taxa and their ecological identity, benthic trophic and biomass size structure were investigated in these lagoons and the results were correlated with the environmental variables. The overall similarity based on species composition and abundance among the lagoons was low due to the differences in the dominant environmental factors, whereas the variations in the community diversity and species richness were mainly related to the degree of marine influence, reflecting the natural structure. The benthic classification indices AMBI, M-AMBI, BENTIX, BO2A, ISD and ISS were applied to assess the ecological status of the lagoons studied. The results revealed that the biotic indices AMBI, M-AMBI, BENTIX, and BO2A were not adequately efficient due to the natural dominance of the tolerant and opportunistic species and the correlation of the species diversity with natural stress. The ISD and ISS, on the other hand, based on size distribution frequencies and on size spectra sensitivity, respectively, showed good discrimination power among the impacted and unimpacted sites. The results indicate that except for species sensitivity, other traits of the communities such as the biomass or size structure could be more robust, sensitive and suitable for assessing the ecological quality of lagoons.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the ecological status of Mediterranean coastal lagoons using macroinvertebrates. Comparison of the most commonly used methods

et al. 2014

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“…The surface area of the six lagoons ranges from N100 km 2 (Grado Marano) to b 1 km 2 (Grado Valle di Pesca). Details on lagoonal characteristics and environmental parameters can be found elsewhere (Barbone et al, 2007;Basset et al, 2008;Reizopoulou et al, 2014;Sangiorgio et al, 2008;Sigala et al, 2012).…”

Section: Species Occurrence Data/sampling Information/environmental Imentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Polychaete abundances were subsequently averaged per sample for the purposes of this analysis. Details on the sampling procedure and laboratory analyses can be found in Sigala et al (2012).…”

Section: Species Occurrence Data/sampling Information/environmental Imentioning

confidence: 99%

Resistance of polychaete species and trait patterns to simulated species loss in coastal lagoons

Faulwetter

Papageorgiou

Koulouri

et al. 2015

Journal of Sea Research

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“…It is worth noting that taxonomic replacements do not always lead to variations in functional diversity and, consequently, in ecological functioning. The lack of significant variability in functional composition discloses a pattern of functional redundancy, profusely described for macroinvertebrate communities (Sigala et al, 2012;Bogan et al, 2013). Functional redundancy may be a result of environmental filtering, which restricts trait diversity (Heino, 2005) and is an indicator of relative resilience of the traits and may help in maintaining the functions of an ecosystem after disturbance (Schmera et al, 2012).…”

Section: Nd Level Functional Redundancy (Functional Stability Vs Taxomentioning

confidence: 99%

Multi-scale functional and taxonomic β-diversity of the macroinvertebrate communities in a Mediterranean coastal lagoon

et al. 2017

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Benthic macroinvertebrate communities form the basis of the intricate lagoonal food web. Understanding their functional and taxonomic response, from a β-diversity perspective, is essential to disclose underlying patterns with potential applicability in conservation and management actions. Within the central lagoon of Messolonghi we studied the main environmental components structuring the macroinvertebrate community. We analyzed the β-taxonomic and β-functional diversity across the main habitats and seasons, over a year time frame. Our results outline habitat type and vegetation biomass as the major factors structuring the communities. We found environmental variability to have a positive correlation with functional β-diversity, however no correlation was found with taxonomic β-diversity. Across the seasons an asynchronous response of the functional and taxonomic β-diversity was identified. The taxonomic composition displayed significant heterogeneity during the driest period and the functional during the rainy season. Across the habitats the unvegetated presented higher taxonomic homogeneity and functionally heterogeneity, contrary the vegetated habitats present higher taxonomic variability and functional homogeneity. Across the seasons and habitats a pattern of functional redundancy and taxonomic replacement was identified. Besides high functional turnover versus low taxonomic turnover was documented in an anthropogenic organically enriched habitat We conclude that habitats display independent functional and taxonomic seasonal patterns, thus different processes may contribute to their variability. The framework presented here highlights the importance of studying both β-diversity components framed in a multiscale approach to better understand ecological processes and variability patterns. These results are important to understand macroinvertebrate community assembly processes and are valuable for conservation purposes.

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Functional diversity in three Mediterranean transitional water ecosystems

Cited by 31 publications

References 49 publications

Assessing the ecological status of Mediterranean coastal lagoons using macroinvertebrates. Comparison of the most commonly used methods

Assessing the ecological status of Mediterranean coastal lagoons using macroinvertebrates. Comparison of the most commonly used methods

Resistance of polychaete species and trait patterns to simulated species loss in coastal lagoons

Multi-scale functional and taxonomic β-diversity of the macroinvertebrate communities in a Mediterranean coastal lagoon

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