The structure and organisation of macrobenthic communities are closely linked to short- and long-term changes occurring in marine ecosystems. The response of the macrobenthos is primarily expressed through: (1) its species composition, which tends to become simplified as disturbance levels increase, and (2) its trophic-functional organisation, reflecting shifts in the dominance of different feeding strategies according to the intensity of environmental impact.
For this reason, the spatial and temporal characterisation of the macrobenthic compartment constitutes a key tool for monitoring environmental changes associated with disturbance processes, whether of natural or anthropogenic origin.
In this context, the contract established between CEAB and the French environmental management company CREOCEAN focuses on detailed taxonomic analysis and trophic-functional assessment of soft-bottom macrobenthos in various regions worldwide. The objective is to provide rigorous scientific advice enabling the company to complete environmental monitoring and impact management studies commissioned by its clients, in both the public and private sectors.
The CEAB/Creocean contract has been maintained continuously since 1998 and has so far generated economic returns exceeding one million euros.
At the same time, it has also produced significant scientific output, with approximately 30 publications based on data collected over nearly three decades of collaboration, including several papers describing numerous new species of polychaete annelids and cumaceans from different parts of the world.
Principal Investigator: Daniel Martin
Other CEAB researchers and staff involved: Paola Mura, Miquel Àngel Meca
Other participating researchers or entities: João Gil, CREOCEAN
