Multiscale patterns in the diversity and organization of benthic intertidal fauna among French Atlantic estuaries
| Type | Article | ||||||||||||
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| Date | 2014-07 | ||||||||||||
| Language | English | ||||||||||||
| Author(s) | Blanchet Hugues1, Gouillieux Benoit1, Alizier Sandrine2, Amouroux Jean-Michel3, Bachelet Guy1, Barille Anne-Laure4, Dauvin Jean-Claude2, 5, de Montaudouin Xavier1, Derolez Valerie 6, Desroy Nicolas7, Grall Jacques8, Gremare Antoine1, Hacquebart Pascal9, Jourde Jerome8, 10, Labrune Celine3, Lavesque Nicolas1, Meirland Alain11, Nebout Thiebaut, Olivier Frederic12, Pelaprat Corine13, Ruellet Thierry2, 11, Sauriau Pierre-Guy10, Thorin Sebastien14 |
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| Affiliation(s) | 1 : Univ Bordeaux, CNRS, UMR 5805, EPOC,Stn Marine Arcachon, F-33120 Arcachon, France. 2 : Univ Lille 1, CNRS, UMR LOG 8187, Stn Marine Wimereux, F-62930 Wimereux, France. 3 : Univ Paris 06, CNRS, UMR 8222, LECOB,Lab Arago, F-66650 Banyuls Sur Mer, France. 4 : Univ Nantes, Lab Mer Mol Sante, F-44035 Nantes, France. 5 : Univ Caen Basse Normandie, CNRS, UMR 6143, Lab Morphodynam Continentale & Cotiere,M2C, F-14000 Caen, France. 6 : IFREMER, LER LR, F-34203 Sete, France. 7 : IFREMER, LER Finistere Bretagne Nord, Stn Dinard, F-35801 Dinard, France. 8 : Inst Univ Europeen Mer, UMS 3113, F-29280 Plouzane, France. 9 : Ctr Reg Etud Cotieres, Equipe Normandie, Stn Marine, GEMEL Grp Etud Milieux Estuariens & Littoraux, F-14530 Luc Sur Mer, France. 10 : Univ La Rochelle, CNRS, UMR 7266, LIENSs, F-17000 La Rochelle, France. 11 : GEMEL Grp Etud Milieux Estuariens & Littoraux, Equipe Picardie, F-80230 St Valery Sur Somme, France. 12 : Museum Natl Hist Nat, UMR BOREA, DMPA, F-75005 Paris, France. 13 : Stareso, F-20260 Calvi, France. 14 : CREOCEAN, Zone Technocean, F-17000 La Rochelle, France. |
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| Source | Journal Of Sea Research (1385-1101) (Elsevier Science Bv), 2014-07 , Vol. 90 , P. 95-110 | ||||||||||||
| DOI | 10.1016/j.seares.2014.02.014 | ||||||||||||
| WOS© Times Cited | 14 | ||||||||||||
| Keyword(s) | Estuaries, Macrozoobenthos, Diversity, Structuring Factors, WFD | ||||||||||||
| Abstract | Based on a parallel sampling conducted during autumn 2008, a comparative study of the intertidal benthic macrofauna among 10 estuarine systems located along the Channel and Atlantic coasts of France was performed in order to assess the level of fauna similarity among these sites and to identify possible environmental factors involved in the observed pattern at both large (among sites) and smaller (benthic assemblages) scales. More precisely this study focused on unraveling the observed pattern of intertidal benthic fauna composition and diversity observed at among-sites scale by exploring both biotic and abiotic factors acting at the among- and within-site scales. Results showed limited level of similarity at the among-site level in terms of intertidal benthic fauna composition and diversity. The observed pattern did not fit with existing transitional water classification methods based on fish or benthic assemblages developed in the frame of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD). More particularly, the coastal plain estuaries displayed higher among-sites similarity compared to ria systems. These coastal plain estuaries were characterized by higher influence of river discharge, lower communication with the ocean and high suspended particulate matter levels. On the other hand, the ria-type systems were more dissimilar and different from the coastal plain estuaries. The level of similarity among estuaries was mainly linked to the relative extent of the intertidal “Scrobicularia plana-Cerastoderma edule” and “Tellina tenuis” or “Venus” communities as a possible consequence of salinity regime, suspended matter concentrations and fine particles supply with consequences on the trophic functioning, structure and organization of benthic fauna. Despite biogeographical patterns, the results also suggest that, in the context of the WFD, these estuaries should only be compared on the basis of the most common intertidal habitat occurring throughout all estuarine systems and that the EUNIS biotope classification might be used for this purpose. In addition, an original inverse relation between γ-diversity and area was shown; however, its relevance might be questioned. | ||||||||||||
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