Open AccessA bioturbation classification of E uropean marine infaunal invertebrates
Author(s) -
Queirós Ana M.,
Birchenough Silva. R.,
Bremner Julie,
Godbold Jasmin A.,
Parker Ruth E.,
RomeroRamirez Alicia,
Reiss Henning,
Solan Martin,
Somerfield Paul J.,
Colen Carl,
Hoey Gert,
Widdicombe Stephen
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
ecology and evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.17
H-Index - 63
ISSN - 2045-7758
DOI - 10.1002/ece3.769
Subject(s) - bioturbation , benthic zone , environmental science , ecology , invertebrate , sediment , environmental resource management , oceanography , biology , geology , paleontology
Bioturbation, the biogenic modification of sediments through particle reworking and burrow ventilation, is a key mediator of many important geochemical processes in marine systems. In situ quantification of bioturbation can be achieved in a myriad of ways, requiring expert knowledge, technology, and resources not always available, and not feasible in some settings. Where dedicated research programmes do not exist, a practical alternative is the adoption of a trait‐based approach to estimate community bioturbation potential ( BP c ). This index can be calculated from inventories of species, abundance and biomass data (routinely available for many systems), and a functional classification of organism traits associated with sediment mixing (less available). Presently, however, there is no agreed standard categorization for the reworking mode and mobility of benthic species. Based on information from the literature and expert opinion, we provide a functional classification for 1033 benthic invertebrate species from the northwest E uropean continental shelf, as a tool to enable the standardized calculation of BP c in the region. Future uses of this classification table will increase the comparability and utility of large‐scale assessments of ecosystem processes and functioning influenced by bioturbation (e.g., to support legislation). The key strengths, assumptions, and limitations of BP c as a metric are critically reviewed, offering guidelines for its calculation and application.