Development of a Classification Scheme for Species/Habitat Associations and Biodiversity in Antarctic Benthic Communities

电话：+86-9815251 Kvitek和H.G.与意大利南极计划的合作项目旨在为Terra Nova湾的南极底栖生物群落制定一个物种/栖息地分类方案。 研究人员将采用声学海底测绘系统，制作详细的、空间上准确的地理信息系统（GIS）物理栖息地多样性地图，并制定适当的方案对这种多样性进行分类。 P.I.s将与意大利生物学家合作，利用他们拍摄的Terra Nova Bay生物群落的地理参考遥控飞行器（REMOTED REMONTED Vehicle）视频图像，并试图将表观动物生物多样性的空间模式与20-200米水深的栖息地类型变化联系起来。 该产品将为制定南极近岸海洋环境物种/生境协会分类方案迈出第一步。 这项工作将测试的假设，声学栖息地分类技术可以用来准确地预测表层动物物种的分布和生物多样性的近岸系统。 如果成功，这一方法和相关的地球物理分类办法将为筛选和初步评估提议作为南极特别保护区的海洋区域提供一个具有成本效益的工具。 这项工作的一个副产品将是建立一个拟议的特拉诺瓦湾ASPA的物理基线图，可用于评估或监测由于自然或人为干扰造成的生境变化。 后续调查可以在事件发生后根据需要进行，或者作为定期声学测绘计划的一部分，以评估该地区的速率和变化特征。

OPP-9815251 P.I.s R.G. Kvitek and H.G. GreenThis collaborative project with the Italian Antarctic program seeks to develop a species/habitat classification scheme for Antarctic benthic communities at Terra Nova Bay. The P.I.s will employ an acoustic seafloor mapping system to produce a detailed and spatially accurate Geographic Information System (GIS) map of physical habitat diversity and develop an appropriate scheme for classifying this diversity. The P.I.s will work with Italian biologists to make use of their georeferenced Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) video imagery taken of Terra Nova Bay biotic communities and attempt to relate spatial patterning of epifaunal biodiversity with variation in habitat types from 20-200 meters water depth. This product will provide the first step toward developing a classification scheme for species/habitat associations in nearshore Antarctic marine environments. The work will test the hypothesis that acoustic habitat classification techniques can be used to accurately predict epifaunal species distributions and biodiversity in the nearshore systems. If successful, the approach and associated geophysical classification scheme would provide a cost-effective tool for screening and initial assessment of marine areas proposed as Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs). A byproduct of this work will be the establishment of a physical baseline map of the proposed Terra Nova Bay ASPA that can be used for assessing or monitoring habitat change due to natural or anthropogenic disturbance. Follow-up surveys could be done on an as-needed basis after episodic events or as part of a regular, acoustic mapping program to assess rates and changes characteristic to the area.