The Major Contribution of Pioneer Species to Coastal Biodiversity Quantified for the First Time

Corals, mangroves, seagrass beds, kelp forests… So-called founder species play an essential role in shaping coastal underwater landscapes. A study published in Biological Reviews quantifies this for the first time on a global scale: on average, these foundner species host 72% more biodiversity than sandy or rocky seabeds. This work opens new avenues for understanding coastal ecosystems, as well as for preserving or restoring them in the context of global change.

Coastal marine ecosystems are home to remarkable biodiversity that relies largely on founder species such as corals, mangroves, and seagrass beds. These architects of underwater habitats serve as both a refuge and a food source for many species and help stabilize their environment by limiting temperature fluctuations and acidification or by dampening wave energy. Like terrestrial forests, woodlands, and hedgerows, they create underwater microclimates.

To quantify the contribution of pioneer species to global coastal biodiversity, the literature review “Marine Pioneer Species Promote Biodiversity: Systematic and Quantitative Syntheses,” led by Ifremer and the Université de Bretagne Occidentale (UBO), reviewed 308 international scientific articles.

Read the full press release in PDF format above or at ifremer.fr

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