Spatial Distribution and Diversity of Benthic Macrofauna in Coastal Waters of the Jabal Ali Marine Sanctuary (JAMS), Dubai

Diversity, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(5), P. 332 - 332

Published: May 4, 2025

The present study aimed to characterize the benthic macroinvertebrate community of Jabal Ali Marine Sanctuary (JAMS), sole marine protected area in Emirate Dubai, during summer and winter seasons 2017. Limited research on biological quality JAMS prompted this investigation, which involved 10 sampling stations assess diversity composition relation abiotic factors such as sediment granulometry, trace metals, salinity, temperature. Collected samples were analyzed for macroinfauna, their abundance was measured, revealing an average 2150 ind/m2 2132 without a significant difference between both seasons. Univariate indices, including Margalef index Pielou evenness index, indicate range values across sites. Community assessed through SIMPROF Bray–Curtis similarity clustering, further elucidating relationship structures environmental gradients. dominant species varied stations, providing insights into seasonal variations dynamics. These findings contribute understanding biodiversity serve baseline future monitoring management efforts at preserving ecological integrity important sanctuary.

Language: Английский

---

Predicting Suitable Areas for Cold‐Water Scleractinian Corals in Southwestern Australian Submarine Canyons

Journal of Biogeography, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 8, 2025

ABSTRACT Aim The exploration of submarine canyons offshore southwestern Australia using remotely operated vehicles (ROV) has documented the occurrence cold‐water coral (CWC) ecosystems, predominantly along heads and slopes canyons. Representing first major ROV investigation in this region, information on CWC distribution area is still limited. Here we apply a habitat suitability model (HSM) to identify potential scleractinian habitats these canyon systems. We show that integration environmental geomorphological variables allows HSM key conditions favourable for region. Location Southwestern Australian canyons: Bremer system (BCS), Mount Gabi seamount Leeuwin Canyon Perth Canyon. Taxon Cold‐water corals Order Scleractinia. Methods High‐resolution maximum entropy (Maxent) was developed remote sensing indices derived from bathymetry. Scleractinian occurrences were obtained videos acquired by onboard RV Falkor during Schmidt Ocean Institute cruise FK200126. identified portions seafloor most suitable SW Results Modelling predicted over 27.2 km 2 (suitability index > 0.6), representing only ~0.254% total surface systems explored. Dissolved oxygen resulted as relevant factor, followed terrain ruggedness, slope bottom temperature, confirming their importance distribution. locations heads, features emerging continental shelf. Main Conclusion Our integrated approach combination data. high performance suggests data are valuable predictors estimate results our modelling not contribute increasing knowledge ecologically ecosystems poorly explored but also parameters limiting Such crucial establishing implementing targeted conservation actions effective natural resource management plans.

Language: Английский

---

Exploring Habitat Characteristics, Distribution, and Niche Relationships of Asian Horseshoe Crabs: Preserving Living Fossils and Biodiversity

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Horseshoe crabs, recognized as "living fossils" in evolutionary history, have consistently been a focal point of biological research. However, information regarding their habitat attributes, patterns, and niche relationships, particularly for Asian horseshoe remains incomplete. This study aims to comprehensively analyze the characteristics, potential distributions, overlaps similarities, well patterns refugia locations during Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) three crab species: Tachypleus tridentatus, Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda, gigas. By employing combination MaxEnt Modeling analysis, we identified water depth distance land common key factors influencing distribution these species. Additionally, different species are affected by other specific environmental factors. For example, T. tridentatus is constrained summer (May-Oct) maximum chlorophyll-a, C. rotundicauda closely related minimum selection gigas significantly wind speed. In terms overlap, highest degree overlap observed between gigas, while lowest. During LGM, were primarily located at estuaries Minjiang Pearl Rivers, whereas both situated near Strait Malacca. provides scientific basis formulating effective conservation management strategies holds significant importance protecting precious maintaining biodiversity.

Language: Английский

---

Effectiveness and implications of spatial background restrictions on model performance and predictions: a special reference for Rattus species

Landscape and Ecological Engineering, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 25, 2025

Language: Английский

---

Improving species distribution models by optimising background points: Impacts on current and future climate projections

Ecological Modelling, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 507, P. 111177 - 111177

Published: May 14, 2025

Language: Английский

---

Spatial distribution of sandeel (Hyperoplus lanceolatus) and implications for monitoring marine protected sites

Marine Environmental Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 201, P. 106706 - 106706

Published: Aug. 25, 2024

Increased human demand on the marine environment and associated biodiversity threatens sustainable delivery of ecosystem goods services, particularly for shallow shelf-sea habitats. As a result, more attention is being paid to quantifying geographical range distribution seabed habitats keystone species vulnerable pressures. In this study, we develop workflow based unsupervised K-Means classification units Generalized Linear Models built from multi-frequency backscatter analyses (95, 300 kHz), bathymetry derivatives (slope) predict different levels sandeel densities in Hempton's Turbot Bank Special Area Conservation (SAC). For Hyperoplus lanceolatus densities, performance single frequency verses models compared. Relatively high agreement between clustering outputs (from 95 kHz models) ground-truthed noted. Moreover, Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) values instance demonstrate that single-frequency are favoured over model terms predictive ability. This mostly linked strong affinity sedimentary environments whose variability better captured by lower system. Generally, these results provide important information about species-habitat relationships pinpoint bedform features where sandeels likely be found potentially domain. The developed study also provides proof concept support design robust species-specific monitoring plan protected areas. Most importantly, highlight how decisions made during sampling, data handling, analysis could impact final interpretation Species Distribution benthic habitat mapping.

Language: Английский

---

Environmental drivers of fish bycatch composition in small-scale shrimp trawling along the southern Brazilian coast

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 197(1)

Published: Dec. 30, 2024

Language: Английский

---