Data/hora: 02/06/2024 14:52:45

Provedor de dados: | 5
País: | France
Título: | Overlooked habitat of a vulnerable gorgonian revealed in the Mediterranean and Eastern Atlantic by ecological niche modelling
Autores: | Ruela Boavida, Joana; Assis, Jorge; Silva, Inga; Serrao, Ester A.
Data: | 2016-11
Ano: | 2016
Resumo: | Factors shaping the distribution of mesophotic octocorals (30-200 m depth) remain poorly understood, potentially leaving overlooked coral areas, particularly near their bathymetric and geographic distributional limits. Yet, detailed knowledge about habitat requirements is crucial for conservation of sensitive gorgonians. Here we use Ecological Niche Modelling (ENM) relating thirteen environmental predictors and a highly comprehensive presence dataset, enhanced by SCUBA diving surveys, to investigate the suitable habitat of an important structuring species, Paramuricea clavata, throughout its distribution (Mediterranean and adjacent Atlantic). Models showed that temperature (11.5-25.5 degrees C) and slope are the most important predictors carving the niche of P. clavata. Prediction throughout the full distribution (TSS 0.9) included known locations of P. clavata alongside with previously unknown or unreported sites along the coast of Portugal and Africa, including seamounts. These predictions increase the understanding of the potential distribution for the northern Mediterranean and indicate suitable hard bottom areas down to &gt; 150 m depth. Poorly sampled habitats with predicted presence along Algeria, Alboran Sea and adjacent Atlantic coasts encourage further investigation. We propose that surveys of target areas from the predicted distribution map, together with local expert knowledge, may lead to discoveries of new P. clavata sites and identify priority conservation areas.
Tipo: | Text
Idioma: | Inglês

Identificador:

http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00359/47003/46932.pdf

http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00359/47003/46933.pdf

DOI:10.1038/srep36460

http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00359/47003/

Editor: | Nature Publishing Group
Formato: | application/pdf
Fonte: | Scientific Reports (2045-2322) (Nature Publishing Group), 2016-11 , Vol. 6 , N. 36460 , P. 1-9

Fonte:

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons license, unless indicated otherwise in the credit line; if the material is not included under the Creative Commons license, users will need to obtain permission from the license holder to reproduce the material. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

restricted use