Marked spatial heterogeneity of macro-benthic communities along a shallow-mesophotic depth gradient in Reunion Island DOI Creative Commons
Ludovic Hoarau, François Guilhaumon,

Sophie Bureau

et al.

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: Dec. 30, 2024

Mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) have gained considerable attention this last decade but the paucity of knowledge on these is pronounced, particularly in Southwestern Indian Ocean region. We explore spatial variation macro-benthic and scleractinian communities along a wide depth gradient (15–95 m) among contrasted sites around Reunion Island. Values for percent cover varied significantly depth, resulting vertical zonation communities. recorded transition light-dependent towards heterotrophic organisms between shallow upper mesophotic zones at 30–45 m, community shift lower zone 75 m. Despite overlaps genera distribution gradient, predominant depths were low abundance MCEs (> 30 m). Our findings highlight importance as distinct sheltering diverse, unique habitats harboring abundant cnidarian-habitat forming organisms. Supporting 'Deep Reef Refuge Hypothesis', 56% spanned to depths, while one-third specialists, either or mesophotic. This highlights limited refuge potential reefs establish baseline data monitoring conserving Island's MCEs.

Language: Английский

Marked spatial heterogeneity of macro-benthic communities along a shallow-mesophotic depth gradient in Reunion Island DOI Creative Commons
Ludovic Hoarau, François Guilhaumon,

Sophie Bureau

et al.

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: Dec. 30, 2024

Mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) have gained considerable attention this last decade but the paucity of knowledge on these is pronounced, particularly in Southwestern Indian Ocean region. We explore spatial variation macro-benthic and scleractinian communities along a wide depth gradient (15–95 m) among contrasted sites around Reunion Island. Values for percent cover varied significantly depth, resulting vertical zonation communities. recorded transition light-dependent towards heterotrophic organisms between shallow upper mesophotic zones at 30–45 m, community shift lower zone 75 m. Despite overlaps genera distribution gradient, predominant depths were low abundance MCEs (> 30 m). Our findings highlight importance as distinct sheltering diverse, unique habitats harboring abundant cnidarian-habitat forming organisms. Supporting 'Deep Reef Refuge Hypothesis', 56% spanned to depths, while one-third specialists, either or mesophotic. This highlights limited refuge potential reefs establish baseline data monitoring conserving Island's MCEs.

Language: Английский

Citations

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