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Sublittoral rock indicator: spatial correlation between environmental conditions and biological data

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People Involved

Dr Anita Franco

Mr Steve Barnard

Miss Shona Thomson

Profile image of Professor Mike Elliott

Professor Mike Elliott Mike.Elliott@hull.ac.uk
Emeritus Professor of Estuarine and Coastal Sciences/ Research Professor, Institute of Estuarine and Coastal Studies

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Dr Magnus Johnson M.Johnson@hull.ac.uk
Senior Lecturer in Environmental Marine Science

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Dr Sue Hull S.Hull@hull.ac.uk
Senior Lecturer in Marine Biology and Ecology/ Programme Director, Marine Biology

Project Description

The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) wish to develop and calibrate the ‘morphological diversity of sponge assemblages plus anthozoan species composition and abundance’ indicator for the monitoring of sublittoral rock. Initial analysis of Solan Bank Reef SCI by Barrio-Frojàn (2016) examined the relationship between biotic patterns and environmental variables and the sensitivity of reduced biotic data sets. This analysis will be hampered by the analysis of information from just one site. Many of these relationship may only be detectable across a larger range of environmental conditions. As such, JNCC have asked for a broader analysis from an additional six sites. Ultimately, if the ‘morphological diversity of sponge assemblages plus anthozoan species composition and abundance’ indicator is to be operationalised, it’s response must be (i) specific to anthropogenic pressures, (ii) sensitive to changes in pressure, (iii) generate a consistent ‘response’ between sites and over time, and (iv) be simple and cost-effective to use.

Project Acronym Sublittoral rock indicator
Status Project Complete
Value £53,965.00
Project Dates Jan 1, 2017 - Jun 1, 2018

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