Data-driven bioregionalization: A seascape-scale study of macrobenthic communities in the Eurasian Arctic

Aim: We conduct the first model-based assessment of the biogeographical subdivision of Eurasian Arctic seas to (1) delineate spatial distribution and boundaries of macrobenthic communities on a seascape level; (2) assess the significance of environmental drivers of macrobenthic community structures; (3) compare our modelling results to historical biogeographical classifications; and (4) couple the model to climate-change scenarios of environmental changes to project potential shifts in the distribution and composition of macrobenthic communities by 2100.

Location: Eurasian Arctic seas, in particular Barents, Kara, and Laptev Seas

Taxon: Macrobenthic fauna

Methods: We employed the Region of Common Profile (RCP) approach to assess the regionalization patterns of Eurasian Arctic seafloor communities.

Results: Four RCPs were identified based on the spatial distribution patterns of 169 macrobenthic species and a set of environmental factors, such as sediment composition, sea-ice ...

研究目标：本研究首次开展基于模型的欧亚北极海域生物地理分区评估，旨在实现以下四项核心目标：（1）在海域景观（seascape）尺度上划定大型底栖生物群落的空间分布格局与边界；（2）评估环境驱动因子对大型底栖生物群落结构的影响程度；（3）将本研究的建模结果与历史生物地理分类方案进行对比；（4）将模型与环境变化的气候变化情景相耦合，以预测至2100年大型底栖生物群落的分布与组成的潜在变化。
研究区域：欧亚北极海域，重点涵盖巴伦支海（Barents）、喀拉海（Kara）与拉普捷夫海（Laptev）。
研究类群：大型底栖动物（Macrobenthic fauna）。
研究方法：本研究采用常见生境分区（Region of Common Profile, RCP）方法，分析欧亚北极海底群落的区域化分布模式。
研究结果：基于169种大型底栖生物的空间分布特征及沉积物组成、海冰等一系列环境因子，本研究共识别出4个常见生境分区（RCPs）。