Rhodoliths are free-living red calcareous algae that form complex benthic bio-aggregations across the continental shelf seafloor worldwide (Costa et al., 2023). Recognized as one of the largest photosynthesizer-dominated benthic communities (Moura et al., 2021), rhodolith beds play a critical role in enhancing seabed structural complexity and supporting benthic biodiversity by creating a mosaic of microhabitats (Stelzer et al., 2021). Despite their ecological importance, rhodolith ecosystems are increasingly impacted by anthropogenic activities, including dredging, trawling, aquaculture, chemical pollution, and offshore petroleum exploration, as well as by global stressors such as climate change and ocean acidification (Costa et al., 2023).
In contrast to other benthic megahabitats—such as coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds—rhodolith beds remain poorly studied and are often excluded from effective conservation and management frameworks, despite their comparable ecological relevance (Sissini et al., 2020; Moura et al., 2021).
This thesis aims to investigate the ecological functions of rhodolith beds within the Arvoredo Marine Biological Reserve, located in southern Brazil. Specifically, it tests the hypothesis that rhodoliths exhibiting greater structural complexity support higher levels of biodiversity by increasing the abundance and richness of associated functional groups. The primary objectives are to assess rhodolith morphological variation and structural complexity across depths and to characterize the macrofaunal assemblages inhabiting these structures. The outcomes of this study will contribute to a better understanding of rhodolith-associated benthic communities and provide scientific support for future conservation and management strategies targeting these vulnerable marine habitats.
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