Abstract
Investigating the relationship between deep-water coral distribution and seabed topography is important for understanding the terrain habitat selection of these species and for the development of predictive habitat models. In this study, the distribution of the deep-water gorgonians, Paragorgia arborea and Primnoa resedaeformis, in relation to terrain variables at multiple scales of 30 m, 90 m and 170 m were investigated at Røst Reef, Traena Reef and Sotbakken Reef on the Norwegian margin, with Ecological Niche Factor Analysis applied. To date, there have been few published studies investigating this aspect of gorgonian distribution. A similar correlation between the distribution of P. arborea and P. resedaeformis and each particular terrain variable was found at each study site, but the strength of the correlation between each variable and distribution differed by reef. The terrain variables of bathymetric position index (BPI) and curvature at analysis scales of 90 m or 170 m were most strongly linked to the distribution of both species at the three geographically distinct study sites. Both gorgonian species tended to inhabit local topographic highs across all three sites, particularly at Sotbakken Reef and Traena Reef, with both species observed almost exclusively on such topographic highs. The tendency for observed P. arborea to inhabit ridge crests at Røst Reef was much greater than was indicated for P. resedaeformis. This investigation identifies the terrain variables which most closely correlate with distribution of these two gorgonian species, and analyzes their terrain habitat selection; further development of predictive habitat models may be considered essential for effective management of these species.
Highlights
Deep-water gorgonian corals are found throughout the world’s oceans and Mediterranean Sea, with the majority reported at depths of 200–1,000 m [1]
This study investigated the distribution of the deep-sea gorgonians, P. arborea and P. resedaeformis, in relation to seabed topography at Røst Reef and Traena Reef, and P. arborea at Sotbakken Reef on the Norwegian margin
This study investigated the relationship between the distribution of P. arborea and P. resedaeformis and terrain variables at locations on the Norwegian continental shelf using the multivariate statistics approach Ecological Niche Factor Analysis (ENFA)
Summary
Deep-water gorgonian corals are found throughout the world’s oceans and Mediterranean Sea, with the majority reported at depths of 200–1,000 m [1]. Paragorgia arborea and Primnoa resedaeformis are amongst the largest deep-water gorgonians, with colonies reaching heights of 50–250 cm [2] These species are commonly found in the North Atlantic [1,3,4,5], often in water masses with temperatures of 6–8uC and high salinity [2]. Both species produce tree-like colony morphologies, which provide habitats within and between colonies, commonly utilized by numerous invertebrate species [3,6,7]. Characterization of the seabed topography in terms of such terrain variables at multiple scales may have ecological relevance to the distribution of benthic fauna, with these variables acting as proxies for bottom current velocity or substrate type at local and regional scales [18,21]
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