Unraveling the effects of environmental drivers and spatial structure on benthic species distribution patterns in Eurasian-Arctic seas (Barents, Kara and Laptev Seas)

摘要: In times of accelerating climate change, species are challenged to respond rapidly shifting environmental settings. Yet, faunal distribution and composition still scarcely known for remote little explored seas, where observations limited in number mostly refer local scales. Here, we present the first comprehensive study on Eurasian-Arctic macrobenthos that aims unravel relative influence distinct spatial scales factors determining their large-scale patterns. To consider structure benthic patterns response forcing, applied Moran’s eigenvector mapping (MEM) a large dataset 341 samples from Barents, Kara Laptev Seas taken between 1991 2014, with total 403 macrobenthic taxa (species or genera) were in ≥ 10 samples. MEM analysis revealed three describing within beyond single seas (broad: ≥ 400 km, meso: 100–400 km, small: ≤ 100 km). Each scale is associated characteristic fauna drivers (broad: apparent oxygen utilization phosphate, distance-to-shoreline temperature, small: organic carbon flux distance-to-shoreline). Our results suggest different determine variation community considered highlight importance considering diverse communities marine ecosystems. This multiple-scale approach facilitates an enhanced understanding impact climate-driven changes necessary developing appropriate management strategies conservation sustainable Arctic systems.