Data from: Seascape ecology of juvenile gadoid nursery areas

Availability of juvenile fish habitat provision can impact recruitment.
This study focused on identifying which environmental variables
characterise the juvenile habitats of three commercially
important gadoid species: Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), haddock
(Melanogrammus aeglefinus), and whiting (Merlangius merlangus). Stereo
baited remote underwater video surveys were conducted in the
South Arran Marine Protected Area between 2013 and 2019 to collect
presence/absence data on juvenile gadoids (> 20 mm < 120 mm)
and demersal and epibenthic communities. Data were analysed using binomial
generalised additive mixed models. The results revealed spatial
segregation among species, each favouring distinct habitats. Predictive
modelling suggests a substantial increase in presence probability from
0.25 to 0.75 as the Inverse Simpson's Diversity Index increases,
suggesting that biodiversity appears to be associated with species
distribution. Boundary regions between seabed types were associated with
variation in species distribution, underlining the importance of seascape
heterogeneity. This study underscores the importance of conserving and
restoring benthic and epibenthic biodiversity across spatially
heterogeneous landscapes. Consequently, reducing benthic pressures could
promote early survival for these species, thereby supporting broader
ecosystem health and fisheries management goals.