ORCID
- Andy Foggo: 0000-0002-0280-0824
Abstract
Data that can be used to monitor biodiversity through time are essential for conservation and management. The reef-forming worm, Sabellaria alveolata (L. 1767) is currently classed as ‘Data Deficient’ due to an imbalance in the spread of data on its distribution. Little is known about the distribution of this species around Ireland. Using data archaeology, we collated past and present distribution records and discovered that S. alveolata has a discontinuous distribution with large gaps between populations. Many regions lack data and should be targeted for sampling. Biodiversity surveys revealed that S. alveolata supported diverse epibiotic algal communities. Retrograding (declining) reefs supported greater infaunal diversity than prograding (growing) reefs or sand, suggesting that S. alveolata is a dynamic ecosystem engineer that has a lasting legacy effect. Similar research should be carried out for other Data Deficient species, habitats and regions. Such data are invaluable resources for management and conservation.
DOI
10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105344
Publication Date
2021-01-01
Publication Title
Marine Environmental Research
Volume
169
ISSN
0141-1136
Embargo Period
2022-05-17
Keywords
Baseline data, Biodiversity, Biogenic habitat, Marine protected area, Reef, Sustained observations
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Curd, A., Firth, L., Hawkins, S., Knights, A., Blaze, J., Burrows, M., Dubois, S., Edwards, H., Foggo, A., Gribben, P., Grant, L., Harris, D., Mieszkowska, N., Nunes, F., Nunn, J., Power, A., O'Riordan, R., McGrath, D., Simkanin, C., & O'Connor, N. (2021) 'On the diversity and distribution of a data deficient habitat in a poorly mapped region: The case of Sabellaria alveolata L. in Ireland', Marine Environmental Research, 169. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105344
