Habitat suitability mapping of the black coral Leiopathes glaberrima to support conservation of vulnerable marine ecosystems.

ABSTRACT: The black coral Leiopathes glaberrima is an important habitat forming species that supports benthic biodiversity. Due to its high sensitivity to fishing activities, it has been classified as indicator of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs). However, the information on its habitat selection and large-scale spatial distribution in the Mediterranean Sea is poor. In this study a thorough literature review on the occurrence of L. glaberrima across the Mediterranean Sea was undertaken. Predictive modelling was carried out to produce the first continuous map of L. glaberrima suitable habitat in the central sector of the Mediterranean Sea. MaxEnt modeling was used to predict L. glaberrima probability of presence as a function of seven environmental predictors (bathymetry, slope, aspect North-South

SUBMITTER: Lauria V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8329192 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature