engleski

Relationship between macrofaunal diversity and habitat diversity in a Central Croatian Adriatic lagoon

The macrofauna of the shallow benthos (0-6m) in Novigrad Sea, Central Croatian Adriatic, was censused in three seasons and over five habitat types at ten sites in 2007/8. The relative abundances of all animal taxa identified within the resulting fifty habitat x site combinations were subjected to a cluster analysis. There was a strong tendency for habitats to cluster together indicating that unique associations of fauna with their preferred habitat exist and that they are spatially stable. Sub-clustering within four of the main habitat types coincided with site variability in faunal richness and diversity. Regardless of clustering, habitat diversity explained 29% of faunal diversity across rock sites and 39% across sparse seagrass sites, while faunal abundance explained 46% of faunal diversity in rock habitats (positive correlation) and 32% at unconsolidated sediments (negative correlation)

Fish; invertebrate; diversity; abundance; seagrass; Croatia; Adriatic

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