Biodiversity loss and turnover in alternative states in the Mediterranean Sea: a case study on meiofauna.

ABSTRACT: In the Mediterranean Sea hard-bottom macroalgal meadows may switch to alternative and less-productive barrens grounds, as a result of sea urchins overgrazing. Meiofauna (and especially nematodes) represent key components of benthic ecosystems, are highly-diversified, sensitive to environmental change and anthropogenic impacts, but, so-far, have been neglected in studies on regime shifts. We report here that sedimentary organic matter contents, meiofaunal taxa richness and community composition, nematode α- and β-biodiversity vary significantly between alternative macroalgal and barren states. The observed differences are consistent in six areas spread across the Mediterranean Sea, irrespective of barren extent. Our results suggest also that the low biodiversity levels in barren states are

SUBMITTER: Bianchelli S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5052579 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature