Free-living calcareous red algae, known as rhodoliths, form complex three-dimensional structures on the seafloor, enhancing benthic biodiversity by providing habitat for a wide variety of organisms. Despite their ecological importance, rhodolith beds remain understudied and are often neglected in marine conservation and management strategies. Brazil hosts some of the most extensive and diverse rhodolith beds worldwide.
This study investigates the ecological role of rhodolith beds within the Arvoredo Marine Biological Reserve, a no-take protected area in southern Brazil. It explores how morphological variation and structural complexity influence macrofaunal diversity across different depth zones. It is hypothesized that rhodoliths with greater structural complexity support higher biodiversity by offering a wider range of microhabitats and ecological niches.
The findings confirm that rhodolith beds act as biodiversity hotspots and that their structural complexity plays a key role in shaping associated macrofaunal communities. These results highlight the need to include rhodolith ecosystems in marine conservation frameworks, especially under growing anthropogenic and climate-related pressures. By improving our understanding of benthic community interactions in the Southwestern Atlantic, this research supports more informed conservation planning for vulnerable marine habitats.
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