! Chapter_0_Martina 05/06/15 07:23 Página 1 The importance of benthic suspension feeders in the biogeochemical cycles: active and passive suspension feeders in a coralligenous community PhD THESIS Martina Coppari Barcelona, 2015 Chapter_0_Martina 05/06/15 07:23 Página 2 Photos by: Federico Betti, Georgios Tsounis Design: Antonio Secilla Chapter_0_Martina 05/06/15 07:23 Página 3 The importance of benthic suspension feeders in the biogeochemical cycles: active and passive suspension feeders in a coralligenous community PhD THESIS MARTINA COPPARI Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals PhD Programme in Environmental Science and Technology June 2015 Director de la Tesi Director de la Tesi Dr. Sergio Rossi Dr. Andrea Gori Investigador Investigador Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Universitat de Barcelona Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals Departament d’Ecologia • 3 • Chapter_0_Martina 05/06/15 07:23 Página 4 . Chapter_0_Martina 05/06/15 07:23 Página 5 Para los que me han acompañado en este viaje • 5 • Chapter_0_Martina 05/06/15 07:23 Página 6 . Chapter_0_Martina 05/06/15 07:23 Página 7 Resumen 11 Abstract 13 Introduction 15 Chapter 1 Size, spatial and bathymetrical distribution of the ascidian Halocynthia papillosa in Mediterranean coastal bottoms: benthic-pelagic implications 29 1. Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................30 2. Materials and methods..................................................................................................................................31 2.1 Distribution and size structure of Halocynthia papillosa ...............................................31 2.1.1 Study area ..................................................................................................................31 2.2.2 Sampling procedure...............................................................................................33 2.1.3 Video analysis ...........................................................................................................34 2.1.4 Data treatment.........................................................................................................34 2.2 Trophic impact of Halocynthia papillosa..............................................................................35 2.2.1 Size versus dry weight...........................................................................................35 2.2.2 Carbon and nitrogen estimation .......................................................................35 2.3 Environmental conditions ........................................................................................................37 3. Results .................................................................................................................................................................37 3.1 Distribution and size structure of Halocynthia papillosa ...............................................37 3.2 Trophic impact of Halocynthia papillosa..............................................................................40 3.3 Environmental conditions ........................................................................................................40 4. Discussion ..........................................................................................................................................................41 4.1 Large extent distribution of Halocynthia papillosa..........................................................42 4.2 Large scale trophic impact of an active suspension feeder .........................................47 5. Conclusion .........................................................................................................................................................48 6. References..........................................................................................................................................................48 • 7 • Chapter_0_Martina 05/06/15 07:23 Página 8 Chapter 2 The role of sponges in the benthic-pelagic coupling process in warm temperate coastal areas 55 1. Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................56 2. Materials and methods..................................................................................................................................57 2.1 Study area.......................................................................................................................................57 2.2 Sponges distribution and size structure ...........................................................................59 2.2.1 Sampling procedure...............................................................................................59 2.2.2 Video analysis ...........................................................................................................59 2.2.3 Data treatment.........................................................................................................60 2.3 Environmental conditions ........................................................................................................60 2.3.1 In situ feeding experiments.................................................................................60 2.3.2 Sponges size versus dry weight.........................................................................63 2.3.3 Carbon fluxes estimation......................................................................................63 3. Results .................................................................................................................................................................64 3.1 Sponges distribution and size structure..............................................................................64 3.2 In situ feeding experiments .....................................................................................................65 3.3 Carbon fluxes estimation ..........................................................................................................68 4. Discussion ..........................................................................................................................................................68 5. References..........................................................................................................................................................71 Chapter 3 The importance of gorgonians in the benthic-pelagic coupling processes in Mediterranean coastal areas, or why do we have to preserve the animal forest 77 1. Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................78 2. Materials and methods..................................................................................................................................80 2.1 Study area.......................................................................................................................................80 2.2 Previous literature ....................................................................................................................80 2.2.1 Paramuricea clavata................................................................................................80 2.2.2 Eunicella singularis...................................................................................................82 2.2.3 Corallium rubrum .....................................................................................................83 2.3 Biometric relationships and biomass calculation ............................................................84 2.3.1 Paramuricea clavata................................................................................................84 2.3.2 Eunicella singularis...................................................................................................84 2.3.3 Corallium rubrum .....................................................................................................85 3. Results .................................................................................................................................................................85 3.1 Paramuricea clavata ....................................................................................................................85 3.2 Eunicella singularis .......................................................................................................................86 3.3 Corallium rubrum..........................................................................................................................87 4. Discussion ..........................................................................................................................................................88 5. References..........................................................................................................................................................90 Chapter 4 Species distribution models as a tool to estimate the benthic-pelagic coupling processes in coastal areas 95 1. Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................96 2. Materials and methods..................................................................................................................................97