Beyond biodiversity: the role of Paramuricea clavata forests in shaping taxonomic and functional diversity.

ABSTRACT: Marine animal forests, composed of sessile suspension feeders such as gorgonians are known to host rich communities that support important ecosystem functions and services. These habitats are undergoing severe loss due to multiple pressures, with potential cascading effects on associated communities and their functions that remain poorly understood. To address this critical knowledge gap, we used fine-scale data to assess the role of Paramuricea clavata forests in supporting biodiversity and ecosystem functioning at multiple locations, in the Gulf of Naples (Italy, Western Mediterranean Sea). Through functional trait analysis, we compared taxonomic and functional diversity of benthic assemblages inside and outside P. clavata forests and investigated the loss of traits as a consequence of f

SUBMITTER: Colletti A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12663191 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature