Sampling strategies for biotope definition: minimal sampling area for selected ...

• Author(s): Martins, Gustavo M. ; Wallenstein, Francisco ; Álvaro, Nuno V. ; Neto, Ana I. ; Costa, Ana C.
• Date: 2005
• Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.3/2030
• Origin: Repositório da Universidade dos Açores
• Subject(s): Sampling Areas; Macroinvertebrates; Rocky Subtidal; Biotope Definition; Azores
• Document Type: Article
• Language: English

Description

Copyright © Springer-Verlag and AWI 2005. Azorean rocky shores are mainly characterized by patchy algae-based communities with variable associated macrofauna. Characterization studies should therefore include quantitative information for both algae and macroinvertebrates. Unlike for the algae, minimal sampling areas are undefined for macroinvertebrates in the Azores. The present study defines the minimal area to be used for the assessment of the abundance of conspicuous benthic macroinvertebrate abundance. This study proposes methodologies to be used for a selected group of invertebrates when simultaneously undertaking quantifications of macroalgae.