Large-scale patterns of benthic marine communities in the Brazilian Province

Benthic marine communities in the Brazilian Province exhibit unique patterns, with richness peaking at mid-latitudes (20°S to 23°S) and defying the typical latitudinal diversity gradient. This study, the first large-scale description of its kind along the southwestern Atlantic, reveals that macroalgal abundance significantly influences community composition, overshadowing geographic region or reef type. Using standardized photographic quadrat techniques, researchers quantified percent cover data from 0° to 27°S latitude, finding low coral coverage and dominance by algal turfs and frondose macroalgae. The findings provide a baseline for macroecological comparisons and offer critical insights for conservation planning, including the spatial prioritization of marine protected areas.

Aued, A. W., Smith, F., Quimbayo, J. P., Cândido, D. V., Longo, G. O., Ferreira, C. E. L., Witman, J. D., Floeter, S. R., & Segal, B. (2018). Large-scale patterns of benthic marine communities in the Brazilian Province. Plos One, 13(6), e0198452. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0198452