BENTHIC-PRO – Biodiversity and Trophic Networks in Seabed Habitats for Sustainable Production

Research Project

Funding Programme
CIM-Posdou 2025 — Priorities 2025 (Centre for Marine Research, University of Vigo)
Principal Investigator
Iria García Moreiras & Andreu Blanco Cartagena
Budget
€15,000
Project Period
Jan 2025 – Dec 2025
Type of Participation
Co-coordinator

Summary

The Galician Rías provide countless ecosystem resources that are becoming threatened by the increase in anthropogenic pressure. Aquaculture and shellfish harvesting are among the main extractive practices that develop in this area, however, their impact on the microphytobenthic (MPB) community is little known. This project aims to provide new knowledge on the biodiversity and trophic dynamics of MPB. Through microscopic analysis of microalgae in sediments and analysis of stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) in different sources of organic matter, MPB and macrofauna, the impact of the activities described on the structure and functioning of MPB in different areas and habitats of the Rias Baixas (Vigo, Pontevedra and Arousa rias, NW Iberian Peninsula) is assessed. The new data will help design more sustainable marine environment management policies.

Objectives

Assess the impact of two extractive activities — mussel-raft (bateas) aquaculture and intertidal bivalve harvesting — on the biodiversity and trophic dynamics of the microphytobenthos (MPB) across different habitats of the Rias Baixas.

  • Study MPB biodiversity through microscopic analysis, in areas affected by extractive activities and non-affected areas from the National Park of the Atlantic Islands.
  • Assess MPB trophic dynamics using stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N).

Tasks

  • 1Planning of sampling campaigns and permit acquisition
  • 2Sediment and physico-chemical sampling across four habitat types (macroalgae, seagrass meadows, maërl and bare sediment) in three rias (Vigo, Pontevedra, Arousa), with two seasonal campaigns (spring and autumn)
  • 3Texture, geochemical and microphytobenthos analyses of sediment samples
  • 4Collection and analysis of organic matter sources and benthic macrofauna
  • 5Stable isotope analysis (δ13C, δ15N) via isotope-ratio mass spectrometry
  • 6Statistical analysis (multivariate methods and Bayesian mixing models)
  • 7Writing and submission of at least one JCR-indexed journal article
  • 8Dissemination: conference communication, presentation at the CIMENTOS Annual Assembly, and an outreach workshop

Main Outputs

This project started in 2025 — results will be published here as they become available.