Drivers of coastal benthic communities in a complex environmental setting
Journal
Marine Pollution Bulletin
Journal Volume
203
Start Page
116462
ISSN
0025-326X
Date Issued
2024-06-01
Author(s)
Lin, Yuting Vicky
Château, Pierre-Alexandre
Nozawa, Yoko
Wunderlich, Rainer Ferdinand
DOI
10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116462
Abstract
Analyzing the environmental factors affecting benthic communities in coastal areas is crucial for uncovering key factors that require conservation action. Here, we collected benthic and environmental (physical-chemical-historical and land-based) data for 433 transects in Taiwan. Using a k-means approach, five communities dominated by crustose coralline algae, turfs, stony corals, digitate, or bushy octocorals were first delineated. Conditional random forest models then identified physical, chemical, and land-based factors (e.g., light intensity, nitrite, and population density) relevant to community delineation and occurrence. Historical factors, including typhoons and temperature anomalies, had only little effect. The prevalent turf community correlated positively with chemical and land-based drivers, which suggests that anthropogenic impacts are causing a benthic homogenization. This mechanism may mask the effects of climate disturbances and regional differentiation of benthic assemblages. Consequently, management of nutrient enrichment and terrestrial runoff is urgently needed to improve community resilience in Taiwan amidst increasing challenges of climate change.
Subjects
Anthropocene
Ecological dynamic
Ecological trajectory
Machine learning
Phase shift
Sessile benthos
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Type
journal article