IMIS

Publications | Institutes | Persons | Datasets | Projects | Maps
[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page

Benthic marine biodiversity patterns across the United Kingdom and Ireland determined from recreational diver observations: A baseline for possible species range shifts induced by climate change
Bull, J.C.; Mason, S.; Wood, C.; Price, A.R.G. (2013). Benthic marine biodiversity patterns across the United Kingdom and Ireland determined from recreational diver observations: A baseline for possible species range shifts induced by climate change. Aquat. Ecosyst. Health Manag. 16(1): 20-30. https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14634988.2013.761086

www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14634988.2013.761086
In: Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management. Taylor and Francis: Oxford. ISSN 1463-4988; e-ISSN 1539-4077, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Keyword
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    marine recorder, Seasearch, taxonomic distinctness

Authors  Top 
  • Bull, J.C.
  • Mason, S.
  • Wood, C.
  • Price, A.R.G.

Abstract
    Using benthic species abundance records (2003–2009) collected by volunteer divers through ‘Seasearch’, coastal biodiversity patterns around the United Kingdom and Ireland were investigated. The first aim was to assess the utility of volunteer data as a baseline for monitoring environmental change. Separation of the influences of within- and between-surveyor variation from broadscale (year, latitude, longitude) and finer scale (month, depth, local habitat) biogoegraphical factors was achieved using a multilevel mixed effects framework. A high degree of consistency within surveyors was evident and, by modelling between-surveyor variations efficiently, expected trends in species richness and taxonomic distinctness were recovered. Moving from patterns to processes, the second aim was to test the effects of sea surface temperature on prevalence, on a species by species basis. This approach allowed identification of species likely to display range shifts in direct response to future warming trends. Within limitations, volunteer data can provide a valuable contribution to understanding of biodiversity, climate change and aquatic ecosystem health.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors