Abstract
Understanding the distribution of specific diversity is currently an important focus in marine research, and the role of marine biodiversity has been fully recognised as essential for the proper functioning of the biosphere. The objective of this study was to explain the distribution of macrobenthic taxonomic richness (vagile epifauna, endofauna and sessile epifauna) in the eastern part of the English Channel using both classical methods and applying the mid-domain effect (MDE) model. High diversity was encountered in the eastern English Channel (875 taxa), with high-diversity areas often comprising gravelly or pebbly sediments. Sessile epifauna represented 25% of this inventory, revealing the importance of this group. Our results underline the existence of randomness in the observed species richness distribution due to large number of species with restricted ranges.
Highlights
The role of marine biodiversity has only recently been fully recognised as essential for the proper functioning of the biosphere (Worm et al 2006)
General characteristics of taxonomic richness and links to superficial sediment cover In total, we identified 875 taxa
About 13.8% of the taxa were recorded at ≥50 sites, but no taxon was present throughout the entire study area
Summary
The role of marine biodiversity has only recently been fully recognised as essential for the proper functioning of the biosphere (Worm et al 2006). Specific diversity is evaluated by estimators of the number of species (species richness) and other indices, such as Shannon’s diversity or Pielou’s equitability index, derived from information theory These estimators more or less reduce biodiversity to the number of species, ignoring that certain functions provided by ecosystems, and often involved in their resilience, can result from interactions among species (Elmqvist et al 2003). It is essential that marine biodiversity should be documented to enhance our understanding of temporal and spatial ecosystem functions within specific regions of the world. This would lead to an integrated approach focusing on entire ecosystems rather than fragments of systems
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