Poster De Conférence Année : 2025

Investigating factors shaping epifaunal rocky shore communities using citizen science

Résumé

Rocky shores are dominated by canopy-forming brown macroalgae that sustain high biodiversity and provide essential ecosystem services. However, these environments face increasing pressure from multiple stressors, with notable gaps in understanding their impacts on biodiversity. While the effects of eutrophication on macroalgae have been well-documented, its influence on epifaunal biodiversity, particularly gastropods inhabiting these biogenic habitats, remains understudied. Factors such as substrate type, shore height, wave exposure, and canopy density further complicate the detection of potential eutrophication effects on these communities. Nonetheless, rocky shore communities are accessible and easy to identify, making them suitable for monitoring through citizen science initiatives. The ESPOIRS project was developed to investigate the multiscale drivers of rocky shore epifaunal community changes, focusing on eutrophication and biogeographical gradients. This study builds on the BioLit citizen science program, launched in 2011, which has already documented changes in epifaunal communities caused by anthropogenic stressors. To disentangle the effects of various environmental factors, a spatial sampling design was co-developed with citizen scientists to target estuaries in Brittany (France). Sampling took place from spring to fall 2024 in seven estuaries with varying levels of inorganic nitrogen (NO₂ + NO₃). Using a multispecies hierarchical modelling approach, we investigated the occurrence, density, and size of key gastropod species within mid-eulittoral macroalgae belts (e.g., Fucus vesiculosus) to examine the responses of epifaunal communities to multiple drivers. This study highlights the potential of citizen science to monitor biodiversity under anthropogenic pressures, offering new avenues for assessing environmental quality and fostering public engagement in coastal ecosystem conservation.

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Dates et versions

hal-05135840 , version 1 (30-06-2025)

Identifiants

  • HAL Id : hal-05135840 , version 1

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Bruno Serranito, Cam Ly Rintz, Agathe Bouet, Isabelle Le Viol, Célia Mébarki, et al.. Investigating factors shaping epifaunal rocky shore communities using citizen science. International Temperate Reefs Symposium, Jun 2025, Brest, France. ⟨hal-05135840⟩
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