Large-scale spatial pattern of the macrobenthic diversity in the eastern English Channel
Sanvicente-Añorve, L.; Leprêtre, A.; Davoult, D. (1996). Large-scale spatial pattern of the macrobenthic diversity in the eastern English Channel. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. 76: 153-160 In: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. Cambridge University Press/Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom: Cambridge. ISSN 0025-3154; e-ISSN 1469-7769, more |  |
| Keywords | Aquatic communities > Benthos
Distribution > Geographical distribution
ANE, English Channel [Marine Regions]
Marine/Coastal |
| Authors | | Top | - Sanvicente-Añorve, L.
- Leprêtre, A.
- Davoult, D., more
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| Abstract | A description is provided of the large-scale spatial distribution of the diversity of the benthic macrofauna in the eastern English Channel. Data from the oceanographic cruises of the RCP (Recherche Coopérative sur Programme) Benthos de la Manche Research Programme were obtained during the summers of 1971 to 1975. A total of 707 samples were analysed. Diversity of each sample was measured by means of the species richness (i.e. the total number of species present), the Shannon-Weaver diversity index and Pielou's evenness index. Diversity values were plotted for all 707 oceanographic stations in the area, following a smoothing procedure. Large-scale spatial trends of diversity of the benthic macrofauna were analysed in relation to sediment and species assemblage distribution,but no spatial correlation was found between the two factors. These results indicate that mechanisms affecting large-scale spatial distribution of the diversity are different from those acting on a smaller scale. The role of the hydro-sedimentary processes acting at the geographic scale of the eastern English Channel as presumptive causes of this large-scale pattern of the macrobenthic diversity is discussed. |
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