Calcareous Bio-Concretions in the Northern Adriatic Sea: Habitat Types, Environmental Factors that Influence Habitat Distributions, and Predictive Modeling

PLoS One. 2015 Nov 11;10(11):e0140931. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140931. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Habitat classifications provide guidelines for mapping and comparing marine resources across geographic regions. Calcareous bio-concretions and their associated biota have not been exhaustively categorized. Furthermore, for management and conservation purposes, species and habitat mapping is critical. Recently, several developments have occurred in the field of predictive habitat modeling, and multiple methods are available. In this study, we defined the habitats constituting northern Adriatic biogenic reefs and created a predictive habitat distribution model. We used an updated dataset of the epibenthic assemblages to define the habitats, which we verified using the fuzzy k-means (FKM) clustering method. Redundancy analysis was employed to model the relationships between the environmental descriptors and the FKM membership grades. Predictive modelling was carried out to map habitats across the basin. Habitat A (opportunistic macroalgae, encrusting Porifera, bioeroders) characterizes reefs closest to the coastline, which are affected by coastal currents and river inputs. Habitat B is distinguished by massive Porifera, erect Tunicata, and non-calcareous encrusting algae (Peyssonnelia spp.). Habitat C (non-articulated coralline, Polycitor adriaticus) is predicted in deeper areas. The onshore-offshore gradient explains the variability of the assemblages because of the influence of coastal freshwater, which is the main driver of nutrient dynamics. This model supports the interpretation of Habitat A and C as the extremes of a gradient that characterizes the epibenthic assemblages, while Habitat B demonstrates intermediate characteristics. Areas of transition are a natural feature of the marine environment and may include a mixture of habitats and species. The habitats proposed are easy to identify in the field, are related to different environmental features, and may be suitable for application in studies focused on other geographic areas. The habitat model outputs provide insight into the environmental drivers that control the distribution of the habitat and can be used to guide future research efforts and cost-effective management and conservation plans.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anthozoa*
  • Biodiversity
  • Ecosystem*
  • Fuzzy Logic
  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Oceans and Seas

Grants and funding

This study has been funded by the Italian Ministry of Education, Universities and Research within the scientific research program of national interest "Coastal bioconstructions: structures, functions, and management" (2010-11 PRIN prot. 2010Z8HJ5M_003) and by the INTERREG Ita-Slo 2007-2013 Program (Project TRECORALA - TREzze e CORalligeno dell'ALto Adriatico: valorizzazione e gestione sostenibile nel Golfo di Trieste.http://www.trecorala.eu/it-IT/7-avvio-del-progetto-trecorala). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Two authors are employed by a commercial company: 'SELC Soc.Coop'. The funder provided support in the form of salaries for DC and CM, but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The specific roles of these authors are articulated in the author contributions' section.