Sources of variation in macrobenthic biodiversity and the implications for monitoring programmes in the Barents Sea

Abstract

In this thesis, several sources of variation which affect macrobenthic biodiversity was examined, in addition to addressing the resulting implications for monitoring programmes in the Barents Sea. Marine benthic biodiversity patterns at the time of sampling were examined across a range of scales, pre-defined by the study design. The benthic distribution was examined in relation to characteristics of organisms (e.g. functional groups) and environmental variation by multivariate analyses. Then the two main sources of error in monitoring programmes were addressed, spatial variation and detection error, e.g. the likely biodiversity in the Finnmark region IX at that time given that not all species and individuals present were sampled. Hence, probable species richness and detectability in addition to spatial variation was examined. Sources of bias and their importance for the statistical inference in the current monitoring programme were discussed. Suggestions based on the results are provided for how to develop a more robust monitoring programme, in order to separate the effects of confounded variables on soft-sediment benthic fauna.