Macroinvertebrates as umbrella species on sandy beaches

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate macroinvertebrates from sandy beaches according to their umbrella potential worldwide. A meta-analysis was performed on a global scale, including 13 marine ecoregions. Community richness and species-specific density of 235 beaches and 726 surveys were retrieved from 48 articles. An index (UI) to select umbrella species was applied according to three categories: percentage of co-occurring species (PCS), median rarity (RAR) and sensitivity to human impacts (DS), which was based on a common statistic representing the magnitude of disturbances in meta-analysis (response ratios). PCS, RAR and DS of the umbrella species were compared with the median ± 95% confidence intervals calculated for all other non-umbrella species. Umbrella potential was higher for species co-occurring in different beach types. Most umbrella taxa responded negatively to human disturbances. These taxa also showed higher percentage of co-occurring species than the mean value (±95% confidence intervals) of non-umbrella species. Macroinvertebrates were ecological indicators of human disturbances and umbrella species, suggesting a good cost-benefit relationship for their application in beach monitoring. The baseline provided in the present study on applying the concept of umbrella species on sandy beaches supports the usefulness of these species in the restoration of urban beaches, monitoring of beaches with social-ecological conflicts and their full protection into reserves.