Spatial and temporal benthic species assemblage responses with a deployed marine tidal energy device: A small scaled study
In: Marine Environmental Research. Applied Science Publishers: Barking. ISSN 0141-1136; e-ISSN 1879-0291, meer
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| Author keywords |
Benthic ecology; Community composition; EUNIS habitat classification; Fishing gear; Towed benthic camera; Marine tidal energy device offshore structure; Anthropogenic ecological interactions |
| Auteurs | | Top |
- Broadhurst, M.
- Orme, C.D.L.
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| Abstract |
The addition of man-made structures to the marine environment is known to increase the physical complexity of the seafloor, which can influence benthic species community patterns and habitat structure. However, knowledge of how deployed tidal energy device structures influence benthic communities is currently lacking. Here we examined species biodiversity, composition and habitat type surrounding a tidal energy device within the European Marine Energy Centre test site, Orkney. Commercial fishing and towed video camera techniques were used over three temporal periods, from 2009 to 2010. Our results showed increased species biodiversity and compositional differences within the device site, compared to a control site. Both sites largely comprised of crustacean species, omnivore or predatory feeding regimes and marine tide-swept EUNIS habitat types, which varied over the time. We conclude that the device could act as a localised artificial reef structure, but that further in-depth investigations are required. |
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