Matching biological traits to environmental conditions in marine benthic ecosystems

Bremner, Julie; Rogers, Stuart I.; Frid, Chris

doi:10.1016/j.jmarsys.2006.02.004

Cited by 173 publications

(92 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…After the traits selection, BTA computation followed the procedures described by Bremner et al (2003Bremner et al ( , 2006a. In essence, three different numerical matrices are required: (1) 'taxa by station' (taxa density in each station); (2) 'taxa by traits' (biological traits for each taxon), and (3) 'traits by station' (biological traits in each sampling station; the cross-product of the previous two matrices).…”

Section: Biological Traits Analysis (Bta)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Taxonomic resolution and Biological Traits Analysis (BTA) approaches in estuarine free-living nematodes

Alves

Veríssimo

Costa

et al. 2014

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science

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a b s t r a c tThe taxonomic and functional structure of the subtidal nematode assemblages from a temperate estuary (Mondego estuary, Portugal) was studied, focussing on different taxonomic levels (genus, family and order), on single functional groups and on multiple biological traits. Based on taxonomic levels and on four biological traits (feeding type, life strategy, tail and body shape), the analysis of the nematode assemblage distribution patterns revealed spatial differences but no clear temporal pattern. At the family and genus level, a separation of the upstream sections was observed, while a distinction of polyhaline and euhaline areas was less evident. The use of biological traits added new information regarding the relationships between diversity patterns and the environmental variables. Most nematodes encountered along the estuary were non-selective deposit feeders (1B) and omnivores/predators (2B), colonizer epersisters (score of 2 or 3), with clavate-conicocylindrical tails and slender bodies and with a distribution related essentially to salinity, oxygen and chlorophyll a. Applying a Biological Traits Analysis (BTA) showed the role of oxygen concentration in the distribution of the nematode communities. Although the BTA was no more powerful than the traditional taxonomic approach in detecting spatial differences along the Mondego estuary, it has increased our knowledge of the functional structure and characterization of nematode communities in the estuary.

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Section: Biological Traits Analysis (Bta)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Taxonomic resolution and Biological Traits Analysis (BTA) approaches in estuarine free-living nematodes

Alves

Veríssimo

Costa

et al. 2014

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science

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“…As an example, a previous study in the area detected that the diet of the commercially exploited spotted flounder (Citharus linguatula) was mainly based on Mysidacea and Cumacea (de Juan et al, 2007b). The biological traits and functional roles exhibited by the macrofauna vary with the environmental variability and can be profoundly modified by anthropogenic activities (Bremner et al, 2006). In our study the crustacean abundance at S1 was lower, probably as a consequence of trawling disturbance, and the abundance at S2 followed a marked seasonal variability, being strongly reduced at the end of summer.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of environmental factors on the dynamics of macrobenthic crustaceans on soft-bottoms of the Ebro Delta continental shelf (northwestern Mediterranean)

Juan¹,

Cartes²

2011

Sci. Mar.

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SUMMARY: Short-term temporal variability in infaunal crustacean communities was evaluated against environmental variability. The area of study was located at two stations at 45 and 60 m depth under the influence of the Ebro River. Differences in the relative abundance of crustacean species between sites might be related to the distance from the river, with higher organic matter supply and finer mud content near the river. There was a marked seasonal variability linked to high phytoplankton production in spring, which supplied organic matter to the benthos, inducing higher crustacean abundance. In late summer there was a reduction in the infaunal crustacean abundance and species richness that could have been caused by two factors: the establishment of the thermocline, which could limit the availability of organic matter to the seabed, and the high water temperatures, which caused the production of phytoplankton exudates and accumulation of mucilaginous aggregates over the seabed. The 45-m site was under the influence of otter-trawl fishing and precisely in this area the seasonal variability was not observed, probably masked by the effects of trawling impact.Keywords: Peracarida, benthos, spatial variations, muddy sediments, temperature, mucilaginous aggregates. RESUMEN: Influencia de factores ambientales en la dinámica de crustáceos macrobentónicos en fondos fangosos de la plataforma continental del Delta del Ebro (Mediterráneo noroccidental). -Evaluamos la variabilidad temporal de la comunidad de crustáceos endobentónicos frente a la variabilidad ambiental a pequeña escala. El estudio se sitúa en la plataforma continental frente a la desembocadura del Rio Ebro, en dos estaciones de muestreo a 45 y 60 m de profundidad. Las diferencias en la abundancia relativa de crustáceos entre las dos estaciones pueden estar relacionadas con la distancia a la desembocadura del Ebro, con un mayor aporte de materia orgánica y mayor contenido de fango cerca del rio. Observamos una variabilidad estacional relacionada con la alta producción de fitoplancton en primavera, con aportes de materia orgánica al bentos favoreciendo una mayor abundancia de crustáceos. Al final del verano se establece la termoclina, pudiendo limitar el aporte de materia orgánica al bentos, y junto con las altas temperaturas, que originaron acumulaciones de exudados de fitoplancton en el fondo, pudo causar una reducción en la abundancia y riqueza específica. La variabilidad estacional no es tan marcada en la estación de muestreo a 45 m. Esta zona está impactada por la pesca de arrastre, que probablemente enmascara la variabilidad temporal.

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“…Distribution, abundance and community composition of the North Sea macrozoobenthos are strongly influenced by a variety of physical, chemical and biological factors (Bremner et al 2006;Franke and Gutow 2004;Kröncke et al 2004). Temperature, water depth, food supply and sediment type have been shown to have critical, though sometimes variable effects on macrofaunal distribution (Dutertre et al 2013;Hillebrand 2004;Posey et al 1995).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…pools of carbon and organic matter) and services (e.g. human alimentation) as well as the resistance or resilience of these factors in response to fluctuating abiotic conditions (Bremner et al 2006;Díaz et al 2008;Hooper et al 2005;Loreau et al 2001;van der Linden et al 2012). Ecosystem functioning mainly depends on traits or characteristics of the constituent functional groups of organisms (Snelgrove 1997).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Functional Diversity and Traits Assembly Patterns of Benthic Macrofaunal Communities in the Southern North Sea

Shojaei

Gutow

Dannheim

et al. 2015

Springer Earth System Sciences

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The study of ecosystem functioning-the fluxes of energy and material through biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem-is becoming increasingly important in benthic ecological research. We investigated the functional structure of macrozoobenthic communities at four long-term sampling sites in the southern North Sea using biological traits assigned to life history, morphological and behavioural characteristics. The "typical" species of the macrofaunal assemblages at the sampling sites was characterized by small to medium body size, infaunal burrowing life style, deposit feeding habit, omnivory diet type, short to medium life span, gonochoristic sexual differentiation, <2 years age at maturity, high fecundity, and planktotrophic development mode. Functional diversity differed significantly among the four sites. As part of the present study, trait information for >330 macrofaunal taxa have been compiled in a comprehensive database.

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Matching biological traits to environmental conditions in marine benthic ecosystems

Cited by 173 publications

References 56 publications

Taxonomic resolution and Biological Traits Analysis (BTA) approaches in estuarine free-living nematodes

Taxonomic resolution and Biological Traits Analysis (BTA) approaches in estuarine free-living nematodes

Influence of environmental factors on the dynamics of macrobenthic crustaceans on soft-bottoms of the Ebro Delta continental shelf (northwestern Mediterranean)

Functional Diversity and Traits Assembly Patterns of Benthic Macrofaunal Communities in the Southern North Sea

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