Document of bibliographic reference 312991

BibliographicReference record

Type

Bibliographic resource

Type of document

Journal article

BibLvlCode

AS

Title

Biodiversity loss and turnover in alternative states in the Mediterranean Sea: a case study on meiofauna

Abstract

In the Mediterranean Sea hard-bottom macroalgal meadows may switch to alternative and less-productive barrens grounds, as a result of sea urchins overgrazing. Meiofauna (and especially nematodes) represent key components of benthic ecosystems, are highly-diversified, sensitive to environmental change and anthropogenic impacts, but, so-far, have been neglected in studies on regime shifts. We report here that sedimentary organic matter contents, meiofaunal taxa richness and community composition, nematode α- and β-biodiversity vary significantly between alternative macroalgal and barren states. The observed differences are consistent in six areas spread across the Mediterranean Sea, irrespective of barren extent. Our results suggest also that the low biodiversity levels in barren states are the result of habitat loss/fragmentation, which is associated also with a lower availability of trophic resources. Furthermore, differences in meiofaunal and nematode abundance, biomass and diversity between macroalgal meadow and barren states persist when the latter is not fully formed, or consists of patches interspersed in macroalgal meadows. Since barren grounds are expanding rapidly along the Mediterranean Sea and meiofauna are a key trophic component in marine ecosystems, we suggest that the extension and persistence of barrens at the expenses of macroalgal meadows could also affect resilience of higher trophic level.

WebOfScience code

https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:000384764700001

Bibliographic citation

Bianchelli, S.; Buschi, E.; Danovaro, R.; Pusceddu, A. (2016). Biodiversity loss and turnover in alternative states in the Mediterranean Sea: a case study on meiofauna. NPG Scientific Reports 6(1): 34544. https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep34544

Topic

Marine

Is peer reviewed

true

Access rights

open access

Is accessible for free

true