Low dynamics, high longevity and persistence of sessile structural species dwelling on Mediterranean coralligenous outcrops.

ABSTRACT: There is still limited understanding of the processes underlying benthic species dynamics in marine coastal habitats, which are of disproportionate importance in terms of productivity and biodiversity. The life-history traits of long-lived benthic species in these habitats are particularly poorly documented. In this study, we assessed decadal patterns of population dynamics for ten sponge and anthozoan species that play key structural roles in coralligenous outcrops (∼25 m depth) in two areas of the NW Mediterranean Sea. This study was based on examination of a unique long-term photographic series, which allowed analysis of population dynamics over extensive spatial and time spans for the very first time. Specifically, 671 individuals were censused annually over periods of 25-, 15-, and 5-

SUBMITTER: Teixido N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3161055 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature