Spatial organization of a sedimentary macrobenthic community located on the West African Equatorial margin
Multiscale variability of a macrobenthic community inhabiting fine sediments on the West African Equatorial margin was assessed during three cruises as part of the BIOZAIRE research program. Spatial scales ranged from 15 to 550 m (within station) and from 1000 to 7000 m (between stations). Principal Coordinates of Neighbour Matrices (PCNM) allowed the detection of multiscale patterns of variability within a location, while a binary coding of the sampling stations was used at broad spatial scales. Significant patterns were observed at 170 and >4000 m. The two spatial scales displayed similar biotic responses, with the Scaphopoda and Bivalvia having patterns that were opposite to the Pholoidae. A spatio-temporal patchwork of environmental variables might explain the observed patterns. Practically, these results emphasis the need to develop balanced and crossed designs among the sources of variation (geography, time, depths).
Brind'amour Anik, Menot Lenaick, Galeron Joelle, Crassous Philippe (2009). Spatial organization of a sedimentary macrobenthic community located on the West African Equatorial margin. Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography. 56 (23). 2292-2298. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr2.2009.04.010, https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/6508/