Biodiversidad y conservación de las praderas de Zostera marina en el noroeste ibéricoenfoque biológico y ficológico

Abstract

This tesis focuses on the biology and phycological biodiversity, as well as the conservation status and threats of the Zostera marina meadows in the northwestern Iberian Peninsula. A total of 3097 georeferenced points were sampled in 55 meadows between April 2014 and August 2017 in a depth range of +1m - 4 m. 2750 leaves of Z. marina were measured, 275 samples of accompanying flora were studied and the epiphytic species on 1650 leaves were analyzed. These data were used to provide information on the distribution, extension and habitat of the eelgrass meadows, as well as to characterize the plants of Z. marina and the diversity that they host. Moreover, the temporal variability of biological traits of Z. marina and its associated flora from the substrata and epiphytic were studied. The obtained information was used to evaluate the conservation status of Z. marina meadows and as a result 15 eelgrass meadows are proposed for future conservation plans. This work provides essential information for the conservation and management of Z. marina meadows in the northwestern iberian peninsula.