Soft-bottom macrozoobenthos in semi-enclosed coastal systems of Morocco: A latitudinal and biogeographic analysis

Boutoumit, Soilam; Kamcha, Reda El; Bououarour, Oussama; Joulami, Latifa; Boutahar, Loubna; Benhoussa, Abdelaziz; Maanan, Mohamed; Godet, Laurent; Bayed, Abdellatif; Bazairi, Hocein

doi:10.1016/j.rsma.2021.101689

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…e insufficiency of existing quantitative baselines on this scale limits our ability to assess if changes in these habitats are varying naturally or a result of anthropogenic influence or a mixture of both. Boutoumit et al [53] found no relationship between latitude and species richness and taxonomic diversity by compiling checklist data considering 12 SECSs along the Moroccan coast which include our studied sites. Our work provides a structured quantitative characterization of Zostera noltei beds in the semienclosed benthic ecosystems on the Atlantic coast of Morocco.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 64%

Latitudinal Variation into the Macrofaunal Assemblages Associated to Zostera noltei Seagrass along the Atlantic Coast of Morocco

Bououarour

Boutoumit

Kamcha

et al. 2021

International Journal of Zoology

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Large-scale research on seagrass-associated benthic fauna is very important for future regional marine conservation. In our study, we investigated spatial and latitudinal variation of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages associated to Zostera noltei Hornemann, 1832 beds from five semi-enclosed coastal systems (SECSs) ranging from 23°N to 34°N along the Atlantic coast of Morocco. Overall, 17,320 individuals were reported as belonging to 96 taxa. The ecological community descriptors differ significantly at the level of the site. Specific richness showed an inconsistent significant pattern with latitude. The multivariate analyses of the assemblage’s composition showed 57% of total variation observed in benthic assemblages, while the PERMANOVA analysis confirmed that this variation is significant at the level of the site. According to DistLM results, variations in belowground biomass, and percentage of mud, were the important predictor variables explaining this variation along the large scale of the studied SECS. However, such patterns could be related to other factors such as habitat heterogeneity and regional, biogeographic, and anthropogenic factors. The present study marked the first attempt on broad-scale ecological research of seagrass beds in Morocco and offers baseline data for planning the broad-scale conservation of biodiversity in seagrass beds that remain suffering from multiple human-induced threats such as coastal developments and climate change.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 64%

Latitudinal Variation into the Macrofaunal Assemblages Associated to Zostera noltei Seagrass along the Atlantic Coast of Morocco

Bououarour

Boutoumit

Kamcha

et al. 2021

International Journal of Zoology

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“…A recent study on soft-bottom macrozoobenthos in 12 semi-enclosed coastal systems along the Moroccan Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts found that differences in benthic macrofaunal species richness and taxonomic diversity result from the fact that each ecosystem has its own speci c characteristics, which implies an individualistic approach to ecosystem ecology (Boutoumit et al, 2021).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrated assessment of a coastal lagoon ecological status based on benthic macroinvertebrates

Boutahar,

Maanan,

Bououarour

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Coastal lagoons are considered as one of the most productive ecosystems worldwide but are also vulnerable to the growing human-made stressors. This study aimed at assessing, for the first time, the ecological status of the Oualidia lagoon (Atlantic coast of Morocco) using benthic macroinvertebrates as bioindicators. An integrative ecological monitoring approach based on spatial diversity patterns of species assemblages (examined using taxonomic indices, structural trophic guilds as indicators of the functional biodiversity, and marine biotic indices) in relation to sedimentary and hydrological descriptors was performed. Results showed that hydrodynamic conditions, represented by intra-lagoon currents and the watershed, govern the entire sediment distribution within the lagoon and establish a longitudinal downstream-upstream gradient and transverse right-left banks, which explained 66% of the total variation observed in benthic assemblage composition. Seagrass meadows affect positively the abundance of dominant species but do not support high diversity. Overall, macrozoobenthos spatial pattern consists in modification of the relative abundance of species, independently of species composition. The average score of the ecological classes obtained from five biotic indices (AMBI, BENTIX, H’, MAMBI and ITI) showed an acceptable status of the benthic assemblages. This integrated analysis resulted in a holistic view of the benthic-ecosystem that will serve in implementing an ecosystem-based approach to the management of the Oualidia lagoon.

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Seasonal trends in benthic macrofauna communities and their relationship with environmental factors in an Atlantic lagoonal system

et al. 2022

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Soft-bottom macrozoobenthos in semi-enclosed coastal systems of Morocco: A latitudinal and biogeographic analysis

Cited by 3 publications

References 58 publications

Latitudinal Variation into the Macrofaunal Assemblages Associated to Zostera noltei Seagrass along the Atlantic Coast of Morocco

Latitudinal Variation into the Macrofaunal Assemblages Associated to Zostera noltei Seagrass along the Atlantic Coast of Morocco

Integrated assessment of a coastal lagoon ecological status based on benthic macroinvertebrates

Seasonal trends in benthic macrofauna communities and their relationship with environmental factors in an Atlantic lagoonal system

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