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Title: Connectivity, neutral theories and the assessment of species vulnerability to global change in temperate estuaries
Authors: Chust, Guillem; Albaina, Aitor; Aranburu, Aizkorri; Borja, Angel; Diekmann, Onno E.; Estonba, Andone; Franco, Javier; Iriondo, Mikel; Muxika, Inigo; Rendo, Fernando; Rodriguez, Jose German; Ruiz-Larranaga, Otsanda; Valle, Mireia; Garmendia, Joxe Mikel; Serrao, Ester A.
Citation: ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE, 2013, 131, 52-63
Abstract: One of the main adaptation strategies to global change scenarios, aiming to preserve ecosystem functioning and biodiversity, is to maximize ecosystem resilience. The resilience of a species metapopulation can be improved by facilitating connectivity between local populations, which will prevent demographic stochasticity and inbreeding. This investigation estimated the degree of connectivity among estuarine species along the north-eastern Iberian coast, in order to assess community vulnerability to global change scenarios. To address this objective, two connectivity proxy types have been used based upon genetic and ecological drift processes: 1) DNA markers for the bivalve cockle (Cerastoderma edule) and seagrass Zostera noltei, and 2) the decrease in the number of species shared between two sites with geographic distance. Neutral biodiversity theory predicts that dispersal limitation modulates this decrease, and this has been explored in estuarine plants and macroinvertebrates. Results indicate dispersal limitation for both saltmarsh plants and seagrass beds community and Z. noltei populations; this suggests they are especially vulnerable to expected climate changes on their habitats. In contrast, unstructured spatial pattern found in macroinvertebrate communities and in C. edule genetic populations in the area suggests that estuarine soft-bottom macroinvertebrates with planktonic larval dispersal strategies may have a high resilience capacity to moderate changes within their habitats. Our findings allow environmental managers to prioritize the most vulnerable species and habitats to be restored. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Zostera; Cerastoderma; diversity; climate change; estuary; neutral theory; SEA-LEVEL RISE; PELAGIC LARVAL DURATION; BETA-DIVERSITY; GENE FLOW; POPULATION CONNECTIVITY; SEASCAPE GENETICS; ZOSTERA-NOLTII; CLIMATE-CHANGE; BASQUE COAST; ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
Issue Date: 2013
Publisher: ACADEMIC PRESS LTD- ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
Type: Article
Language: English
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecss.2013.08.005
URI: http://dspace.azti.es/handle/24689/510
ISSN: 0272-7714
E-ISSN: 1096-0015
Funder: Basque Water Agency-URA
AZTI-Tecnalia
Ministry of Science and Innovation of the Spanish Government [CTM2011-29473]
EU [308392]
Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal) [SFRH/BPD/64990/2009]
FCT [POCI/MAR/60044/2004]
FEDER
Appears in Publication types:Artículos científicos



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