The role of physical variables in biodiversity patterns of intertidal macroalgae along European coasts

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2017

Authors

Puente, A (Author) Other; Guinda, X (Author) Other; Juanes, JA (Author) Other; Ramos, E (Author) Other; Echavarri Erasun, B (Author) Other; De La Hoz, CF (Author) Other; Degraer, S (Author) Other; Kerckhof, F (Author) Other; Bojanic, N (Author) Other; Rousou, M (Author) Other; Orav Kotta, H (Author) Other; Kotta, J (Author) Other; Jourde, J (Author) Other; Pedrotti, ML (Author) Other; Leclerc, JC (Author) Other; Simon, N (Author) Other; Bachelet, G (Author) Other; Lavesque, N (Author) Other; Arvanitidis, C (Author) Other; Pavloudi, C (Author) Other; Faulwetter, S (Author) Other; Crowe, TP (Author) Other; Coughlan, J (Author) Other; Cecchi, LB (Author) Other; Dal Bello, M (Author) Other; Magni, P (Author) Other; Como, S (Author) Other; Coppa, S (Author) Other; De Lucia, GA (Author) Other; Rugins, T (Author) Other; Jankowska, E (Author) Other; Weslawski, JM (Author) Other; Warzocha, J (Author) Other; Silva, T (Author) Other; Ribeiro, P (Author) Other; De Matos, V (Author) Other; Isabel Sousa Pinto (Author) FCUP; Troncoso, J (Author) Other; Peleg, O (Author) Other; Rilov, G (Author) Other; Espinosa, F (Author) Other; Perez Ruzafa, A (Author) Other; Frost, M (Author) Other; Hummel, H (Author) Other; Van Avesaath, P (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

Vol. 97

Pages: 549-560

ISSN: 0025-3154

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 9 Citations

Scopus - 8 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00N-XRE

DOI: 10.1017/s0025315416001673

Abstract (EN): In the frame of the COST ACTION EMBOS' (Development and implementation of a pan-European Marine Biodiversity Observatory System), coverage of intertidal macroalgae was estimated at a range of marine stations along the European coastline (Subarctic, Baltic, Atlantic, Mediterranean). Based on these data, we tested whether patterns in macroalgal diversity and distribution along European intertidal rocky shores could be explained by a set of meteo-oceanographic variables. The variables considered were salinity, sea surface temperature, photosynthetically active radiation, significant wave height and tidal range and were compiled from three different sources: remote sensing, reanalysis technique and in situ measurement. These variables were parameterized to represent average conditions (mean values), variability (standard deviation) and extreme events (minimum and maximum values). The results obtained in this study contribute to reinforce the EMBOS network approach and highlight the necessity of considering meteo-oceanographic variables in long-term assessments. The broad spatial distribution of pilot sites has allowed identification of latitudinal and longitudinal gradients manifested through species composition, diversity and dominance structure of intertidal macroalgae. These patterns follow a latitudinal gradient mainly explained by sea surface temperature, but also by photosynthetically active radiation, salinity and tidal range. Additionally, a longitudinal gradient was also detected and could be linked to wave height.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 12