Importance of rhodoliths as habitats for benthic communities in impacted environments
Costa, D.de.A.; de Lucena, R.F.P.; da Silva, F.d.A.; da Silva, G.M.B.; Massei, K.; Christoffersen, M.L.; Dolbeth, M. (2021). Importance of rhodoliths as habitats for benthic communities in impacted environments. Regional Studies in Marine Science 48: 102055. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2021.102055
In: Regional Studies in Marine Science. Elsevier: Amsterdam. ISSN 2352-4855, more
|  |
| Keywords |
Corallinales [WoRMS]
Marine/Coastal |
| Author keywords |
Coralline red algae; Biodiversity; Invertebrates; Functional traits; Northeast Brazil |
| Authors | | Top |
- Costa, D.de.A.
- de Lucena, R.F.P.
- da Silva, F.d.A.
- da Silva, G.M.B.
|
- Massei, K.
- Christoffersen, M.L.
- Dolbeth, M.
|
|
| Abstract |
This study characterized rhodolith beds and the structure and function of their invertebrate communities in three tropical beaches subjected to different environmental impacts. The highest rhodolith density and invertebrate diversity and density were found on a beach with coarser sands (interpreted as indicative of higher hydrodynamics) and the high availability of calcium carbonate in nearby locations. On the opposite, higher rhodolith mortality, lower invertebrate diversity and density were recorded in the beach with high thermotolerant coliforms concentrations and finer sands. The functional composition was similar in the less polluted beaches, despite differences in sediment composition. In these beaches, polychaetes and echinoderms dominated, being primarily biodiffusors, with slow free movement and predators. These traits appeared advantageous due to food and structural protection provided by rhodoliths while providing oxygenation and remobilization of sediment by resident biodiffusers fauna. The most polluted beach was marked by lower densities of those taxa and traits, with suspension feeders’ bivalve dominance, with limited movement, associated with higher suspended material, common in organic polluted environments. |
|
