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Species loss impacts ecosystem function. Spatangoid urchins in seafloor habitats enhance primary production by altering nutrient cycling, demonstrating their crucial role in marine ecosystems.

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Area of Science:

  • Marine ecology
  • Benthic ecology
  • Ecosystem functioning

Background:

  • Predicting species loss consequences is vital due to biodiversity threats like habitat destruction and climate change.
  • Previous studies show decreased biodiversity can reduce ecosystem performance, but biotic vs. abiotic factors remain debated.
  • Whole-system studies reveal complex feedbacks, making species loss impacts hard to predict.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the role of functionally important organisms in sedimentary seafloor habitats.
  • Determine the relationship between spatangoid urchin abundance and primary production.
  • Understand the impact of species loss on nutrient fluxes and ecosystem productivity.

Main Methods:

  • Conducted experimental field measurements in a sedimentary seafloor ecosystem.
  • Quantified the abundance of spatangoid urchins (infaunal deposit feeders).
  • Assessed the relationship between urchin activity, nutrient fluxes, and microphytobenthos production.

Main Results:

  • Spatangoid urchin abundance positively correlates with primary production in seafloor habitats.
  • Urchin bioturbation alters nutrient fluxes, enhancing conditions for microphytobenthos.
  • This highlights a significant link between these organisms and benthic-pelagic coupling.

Conclusions:

  • Spatangoid urchins are functionally important in sedimentary ecosystems, influencing primary production.
  • Declines in spatangoid urchins, potentially due to trawling, could negatively impact coastal ocean productivity.
  • Understanding these bioturbators is key to predicting the effects of species loss on marine environments.