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South Atlantic Rhodolith Beds: Latitudinal Distribution, Species Composition, Structure and Ecosystem Functions, Threats and Conservation Status

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Rhodolith/Maërl Beds: A Global Perspective

Part of the book series: Coastal Research Library ((COASTALRL,volume 15))

Abstract

The largest continuous latitudinal distribution of rhodolith beds occur in the South Atlantic Ocean. Up to now rhodolith beds were referred exclusively to the western portion of the South Atlantic. Here we describe the recent advances in the South Atlantic taking into account latitudinal distribution, species composition, structure and ecosystem functions, threats and conservation status. Rhodolith beds have been mapped and ecologically described from extensive areas of the continental shelf (Abrolhos Bank), seamounts tops (Vitoria Trindade Chain), insular shelfs of oceanic islands (Fernando de Noronha Archipelago) and atolls (Rocas Atoll). Thirty three species of crustose coralline algae were recorded forming rhodoliths. Despite some initiatives, the richness of fauna associated with rhodoliths in SW Atlantic is still poorly known. Specific microbiome described associated with rhodoliths indicates important role in biomineralization process. The environmental services provided by the recently described rhodolith beds (Abrolhos Banks and Vitoria Trindade Seamounts) as calcium carbonate production, increase habitat complexity, benthic diversity and associated fish assemblages justify urgent actions to protect these ecosystems.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Gilberto M. Amado-Filho & Ricardo G. Bahia

  2. Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Santos, Brazil

    Guilherme H. Pereira-Filho

  3. Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil

    Leila L. Longo

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  1. Gilberto M. Amado-Filho
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  2. Ricardo G. Bahia
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  3. Guilherme H. Pereira-Filho
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  4. Leila L. Longo
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Correspondence to Gilberto M. Amado-Filho .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Biología Marina, Universidad de Baja California Sur, La Paz, BCS, Mexico

    Rafael Riosmena-Rodríguez

  2. School of Biological Sciences University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

    Wendy Nelson

  3. Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain

    Julio Aguirre

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Amado-Filho, G.M., Bahia, R.G., Pereira-Filho, G.H., Longo, L.L. (2017). South Atlantic Rhodolith Beds: Latitudinal Distribution, Species Composition, Structure and Ecosystem Functions, Threats and Conservation Status. In: Riosmena-Rodríguez, R., Nelson, W., Aguirre, J. (eds) Rhodolith/Maërl Beds: A Global Perspective. Coastal Research Library, vol 15. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29315-8_12

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