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Firth LB, Curd A, Hawkins SJ, Knights AM, Blaze JA, Burrows MT, Dubois SF, Edwards H, Foggo A, Gribben PE, Grant L, Harris D, Mieszkowska N, Nunes FLD, Nunn JD, Power AM, O'Riordan RM, McGrath D, Simkanin C, O'Connor NE. On the diversity and distribution of a data deficient habitat in a poorly mapped region: The case of Sabellaria alveolata L. in Ireland. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 169:105344. [PMID: 34015675 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Data that can be used to monitor biodiversity through time are essential for conservation and management. The reef-forming worm, Sabellaria alveolata (L. 1767) is currently classed as 'Data Deficient' due to an imbalance in the spread of data on its distribution. Little is known about the distribution of this species around Ireland. Using data archaeology, we collated past and present distribution records and discovered that S. alveolata has a discontinuous distribution with large gaps between populations. Many regions lack data and should be targeted for sampling. Biodiversity surveys revealed that S. alveolata supported diverse epibiotic algal communities. Retrograding (declining) reefs supported greater infaunal diversity than prograding (growing) reefs or sand, suggesting that S. alveolata is a dynamic ecosystem engineer that has a lasting legacy effect. Similar research should be carried out for other Data Deficient species, habitats and regions. Such data are invaluable resources for management and conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise B Firth
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK; Zoology, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | | | - Stephen J Hawkins
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK; Marine Biological Association of the UK, Plymouth, UK; School of Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Antony M Knights
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Julie A Blaze
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, USA
| | | | | | - Hugh Edwards
- Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Belfast, UK
| | - Andy Foggo
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Paul E Gribben
- Centre for Marine Innovation, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Sydney, Australia
| | - Lisa Grant
- Zoology, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Daniel Harris
- Estuary & Ocean Science Center, San Francisco State University, California, USA
| | - Nova Mieszkowska
- Marine Biological Association of the UK, Plymouth, UK; Department of Ocean, Earth and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Julia D Nunn
- Centre for Environmental Data & Recording, National Museums Northern Ireland, Holywood, UK; 2 Windmill Lane, Portaferry, UK
| | - Anne Marie Power
- Zoology, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Ruth M O'Riordan
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences and Aquaculture and Fisheries Development Centre, Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - David McGrath
- Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Galway, Ireland
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