Protection efficiency in coastal habitats: an integrated approach in the study of macrophyte and associated invertebrates diversity at areas under different conservation status

• Grant number: 17/16837-8
• Support type: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Regular Research Grants
• Duration: December 01, 2017 - October 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology
• Principal researcher: Fosca Pedini Pereira Leite
• Grantee: Fosca Pedini Pereira Leite
• Home Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Assoc. researchers: Anete Pereira de Souza

Abstract

Coastal habitats have been presenting a large reduction on its extension, which has been resulting in a decline of its biodiversity. The establishment of marine protected areas is pointed out as one of the main conservation measures in order to reduce species loss significantly. However, conclusions about the conservation effects of MPAs on the biodiversity of macrophyte communities and its associated invertebrate fauna are still unclear, and further investigations on this system may provide additional information on other higher trophic levels as well. The biodiversity is defined as the variety of life, in all levels of organization, so the use of an integrated approach of different diversity parameters for the analysis of biodiversity has been providing essential subsidy for conservation efforts in coastal environment. Therefore, the aim of this project is to evaluate the efficiency of conservation strategies for the protection of biodiversity of macrophyte-invertebrate systems in areas under different conservation status along the coast of São Paulo, using two main approaches: (I) species, phylogenetic and functional diversity; and (II) genetic diversity. It is expected to identify the variations in diversity and species composition of macrophyte communities and associated invertebrates, investigating its structure through space, and also to understand the patterns of genetic structuring of its focal species from different trophic levels, and investigate which seascape features may be influencing the structure found. Thereby, it is aimed to contribute to the formation of human resources, resulting in the development of professionals able to develop studies and activities in different areas of conservation. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

LONGO, PEDRO AUGUSTO DOS SANTOS; MANSUR, KARINE FERREIRA RIBEIRO; SIQUEIRA, SILVANA GOMES LEITE; PASSOS, FLAVIO DIAS; LEITE, FOSCA PEDINI PEREIRA. Sargassum-associated gastropod and amphipod assemblages in relation to metal pollution in a semi-enclosed bay. AQUATIC ECOLOGY, v. 55, n. 2, p. 623-646, JUN 2021. Web of Science Citations: 0.