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The importance of water-retaining features for biodiversity on artificial intertidal coastal defence structures
Firth, L.B.; Thompson, R.C.; White, F.J.; Schofield, M.; Skov, M.W.; Hoggart, S.P.G.; Jackson, J.; Knights, A.M.; Hawkins, S.J. (2013). The importance of water-retaining features for biodiversity on artificial intertidal coastal defence structures. Diversity Distrib. 19(10): 1275-1283. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ddi.12079
Peer reviewed article  
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Keywords
    Biodiversity
    Climatic changes
    Rock pools
    Structures > Hydraulic structures > Coastal structures > Coast defences
    ANE, British Isles [Marine Regions]
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    Artificial coastal defence structures; Environmental heterogeneity; Tidal height
Project Top | Authors 
  • Innovative coastal technologies for safer European coasts in a changing climate, more
Authors  Top 
  • Firth, L.B.
  • Thompson, R.C.
  • White, F.J.
  • Schofield, M.
  • Skov, M.W.
  • Hoggart, S.P.G.
  • Jackson, J.
  • Knights, A.M.
  • Hawkins, S.J.
Abstract
    Artificial coastal defence structures are proliferating in response to rising and stormier seas. These structures provide habitat for many species but generally support lower biodiversity than natural habitats. This is primarily due to the absence of environmental heterogeneity and water-retaining features on artificial structures. We compared the epibiotic communities associated with artificial coastal defence structures and natural habitats to ask the following questions: (1) is species richness on emergent substrata greater in natural than artificial habitats and is the magnitude of this difference greater at mid than upper tidal levels; (2) is species richness greater in rock pools than emergent substrata and is the magnitude of this difference greater in artificial than natural habitats; and (3) in artificial habitats, is species richness in rock pools greater at mid than upper tidal levels?
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THESEUS is funded by the European Commission within FP7-THEME 6 - Environment, including climate.
Grant 244104
1 December 2009 - 30 November 2013
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