Cross shelf benthic biodiversity patterns in the Southern Red Sea.

ABSTRACT: The diversity of coral reef and soft sediment ecosystems in the Red Sea has to date received limited scientific attention. This study investigates changes in the community composition of both reef and macrobenthic communities along a cross shelf gradient. Coral reef assemblages differed significantly in species composition and structure with location and depth. Inner shelf reefs harbored less abundant and less diverse coral assemblages with higher percentage macroalgae cover. Nutrient availability and distance from the shoreline were significantly related to changes in coral composition and structure. This study also observed a clear inshore offshore pattern for soft sediment communities. In contrast to the coral reef patterns the highest diversity and abundance of soft sediment communitie

SUBMITTER: Ellis J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5428672 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature