Model‐based mapping of assemblages for ecology and conservation management: A case study of demersal fish on the Kerguelen Plateau

A novel model-based approach, Regions of Common Profile (RCP), successfully mapped seven distinct demersal fish assemblages across the northern Kerguelen Plateau, revealing clear patterns linked to depth, surface temperature, and chlorophyll a. Shallow-water assemblages were dominated by endemic species, while deep-water ones included more cosmopolitan species. The study demonstrated that RCP effectively predicts species occurrences and assemblage composition, providing valuable insights for conservation management. Notably, the Heard Island and McDonald Islands marine reserve was found to be representative of most assemblages, except one deep-water group. This research highlights the utility of RCP in ecoregionalization and offers practical tools for spatial management in this ecologically significant Southern Ocean region.

Hill, N. A., Foster, S. D., Duhamel, G., Welsford, D., Koubbi, P., & Johnson, C. R. (2017). Model‐based mapping of assemblages for ecology and conservation management: A case study of demersal fish on the Kerguelen Plateau. Diversity and Distributions, 23(10), 1216–1230. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.12613