Spatial variability of epibenthic communities on the Alaska Beaufort Shelf

摘要: Arctic marine epibenthos contribute significantly to the regional biomass, remineralization and redistribution of organic carbon, are key elements local food webs. The main purpose this study was describe epibenthic invertebrate community on Alaska Beaufort Shelf identify links between patterns environmental drivers. Using a plumb-staff beam trawl, 71 stations were sampled 13 220 m from 145.09°W 155.25°W along shelf, in August/September 2011. At each station, taxonomic composition, abundance biomass data collected together with data. Significant spatial variability composition standing stock dominant taxa observed changes depth along-shelf position. significant interaction position helped define six geographic domains (two regions three groups each). Shallow (<25 m) dominated by mobile crustaceans had lowest values diversity indices total number taxa. Mid-depth (26–100 m) highest mollusks, echinoderms. Deep (101–220 m) mostly represented echinoderms intermediate but high values. However, at constant ranges, there very few similar representative eastern western regions. Also, clear reduction shelf break west east. most influential drivers (sediment phaeopigments, bottom water salinity, temperature, sediment matter, pH percent sand) explained up 50 % variance structure. Through study, we learned that is diverse, spatially heterogeneous can have density. Also show how these assemblages linked environment through grain size proxies for quantity quality.