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Spatio-temporal variability and vertical distribution of a low rocky subtidal assemblage in the north-west Mediterranean
Balata, D.; Acunto, S.; Cinelli, F. (2006). Spatio-temporal variability and vertical distribution of a low rocky subtidal assemblage in the north-west Mediterranean. Est., Coast. and Shelf Sci. 67(4): 553-561. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2005.12.009
In: Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. Academic Press: London; New York. ISSN 0272-7714; e-ISSN 1096-0015, more
Peer reviewed article  

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Keyword
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    rocky cliff; coralligenous assemblage; turbidity; spatial variability; temporal variability; patchiness

Authors  Top | Dataset 
  • Balata, D.
  • Acunto, S.
  • Cinelli, F.

Abstract
    Natural assemblages show large variability at multiple scales in space and time as a consequence of several abiotic and biological factors. This study was conducted in conditions of high turbidity of the water and examined the spatio-temporal variability and the vertical distribution at two different depths of a low rocky subtidal assemblage. Algal and invertebrate organisms were sampled at a range of spatial scales extending from meters to a few kilometers, over a period of 21 months. Results indicated that patterns of distribution and abundance of organisms differed between the two depths and at the smallest spatial scales examined. These differences were due to differences in relative abundance rather than differences in composition of taxa. Results showed that assemblages varied largely among dates of sampling, suggesting that temporal variability of these organisms may be more important than previously stated. The patchy distribution and the peculiar life traits of most taxa of these assemblages allowed the concept of metapopulation and metacommunity to be applied to this system. This might have implications for predictions of the responses of subtidal assemblages to environmental changes due to anthropogenic activities.

Dataset
  • CorMedNet- Distribution and demographic data of habitat-forming invertebrate species from Mediterranean coralligenous assemblages between 1882 and 2019., more

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