Colonization in Artificial Seaweed Substrates: Two Locations, One Year

Artificial substrates have been implemented to overcome the problems associated with quantitative sampling of marine epifaunal assemblages. These provide artificial habitats that mimic natural habitat features, thereby standardizing effort and enabling direct comparisons among different sites studies. This paper explores potential “Artificial Seaweed Monitoring System” (ASMS) methodology evaluate variability assemblages along a coastline more than 200 km, by describing succession ASMS’ macrofauna at two Rías Galician Coast (NW Iberian Peninsula) after 3, 6, 9, 12 months deployment. The results show harbored ASMS differ between locations for every type data. also support hypothesis in benthic communities is not linear process, but rather mixture successional stages. use proved be successful standard monitoring methodology, as it sensitive scale-dependent patterns captures temporal macrobenthic Hence, can serve replicable approach contributing “Good Environmental Status” assessment through non-destructive programs based on monitoring, capturing representative long deployment periods are standard.