Conservation implications of Sabellaria spinulosa reef patches in a dynamic sandy-bottom environment

Description

Biogenic reefs form biodiversity hotspots, making them priority habitats for nature conservation. But dynamic, patchy reefs generally have a lower conservation status. Here, we determined the ecological effects of patchy reefs created by Sabellaria spinulosa, located in a sandy environment with strong tidal currents. Reef habitats were patchily distributed, and matched prevailing tidal bedforms. Mobile epifauna was attracted to reef habitats. Biogenic reefs are often as patchily distributed as the observed S. spinulosa reefs. Their conservation status should therefore dominantly assess the functional impact of the reefs on the prevailing ecosystem instead of its physical dimensions only.

Period	9-Feb-2021
Event title	Netherlands Annual Ecology Meeting 2021
Event type	Conference
Organiser	Netherlands Ecological Research Network (NERN)
Location	Wageningen, NetherlandsShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International