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

OPP-9815251 P.I.S R.G.Kvitek和H.G.Green这一与意大利南极计划的合作项目旨在为Terra Nova Bay的南极底栖群落制定物种/栖息地分类方案。私营部门将利用声学海底测绘系统，制作一份详细的、空间上准确的物理生境多样性地理信息系统地图，并制定对这种多样性进行分类的适当方案。P.I.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(ROV)视频图像，试图将表层动物多样性的空间格局与20-200米水深的栖息地类型的变化联系起来。该产品将为制定南极近岸海洋环境中物种/栖息地协会的分类方案迈出第一步。这项工作将检验这样一个假设，即声学栖息地分类技术可以准确地预测近岸系统中的表层动物物种分布和生物多样性。如果成功，该办法和相关的地球物理分类计划将为筛选和初步评估被提议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拟议的Terra Nova Bay ASPA的实物基线地图，该地图可用于评估或监测自然或人为干扰造成的生境变化。后续调查可以在偶发事件后根据需要进行，也可以作为定期声学测绘计划的一部分，以评估该地区特有的比率和变化。

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.