Evaluation of the effects of urbanization and environmental features on sandy beach macrobenthos highlights the importance of submerged zones

Autor(es)

Corte, Guilherme N. ; Checon, Helio H. ; Esmaeili, Yasmina Shah ; Defeo, Omar ; Turra, Alexander

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Marine Pollution Bulletin; v. 182, p. 12-pg., 2022-07-23.

Resumo

To assess how sandy beach biodiversity is influenced by the effects of environmental features and urbanization, we sampled the macrofauna in the whole across-shore gradient of 90 beach sites in Southeast Brazil. We found that morphodynamic features were the main drivers of macrobenthos, but urbanization-related variables, such as number of beachgoers and number of constructions on the upper shore, decreased species richness and biomass. We also found that submerged zones sustained the highest number of species and biomass in the across-shore gradient, but were the most impacted by human activities. By demonstrating the ecological importance of submerged zones, our results show that beach management practices, which are mainly focused on the upper shore, are missing important components of beach biodiversity. To secure the sustainability of beach ecosystems, management initiatives should include both their social and ecological components and consider the entire Littoral Active Zone as the proper management unit. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 18/19776-2 - Promovendo o planejamento espacial e conservação de praias por meio de uma abordagem ecossistêmica
• Beneficiário: Alexander Turra
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Programa BIOTA - Regular
• Processo FAPESP: 18/22036-0 - Avaliação do potencial de diferentes índices bentônicos para determiner a integridade ecólogica de praias arenosas: subsídios para práticas de manejo e monitoramento
• Beneficiário: Hélio Hermínio Checon
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 15/03804-9 - Governança ambiental da macrometrópole paulista face à variabilidade climática
• Beneficiário: Pedro Roberto Jacobi
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Programa de Pesquisa sobre Mudanças Climáticas Globais - Temático
• Processo FAPESP: 17/17071-9 - Preservando praias arenosas: biodiversidade, bens e serviços e impactos em um ecossistema negligenciado
• Beneficiário: Guilherme Nascimento Corte
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado