@article{fdi:010037958,
  title = {{E}nvironmental factors influencing urchin spatial distributions on disturbed coral reefs ({N}ew {C}aledonia, {S}outh {P}acific)},
  author = {{D}umas, {P}ascal and {K}ulbicki, {M}ichel and {C}hifflet, {S}. and {F}ichez, {R}enaud and {F}erraris, {J}ocelyne},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{F}ew works have examined the relative contributions of habitat variables to the distribution of coral reef urchins. {I}n the present study, the spatial distribution of two common urchin species ({D}iadema setosum and {E}chinometra mathaei) was studied in the fringing reefs of two urban bays in {N}ew {C}aledonia ({S}outh {P}acific). {U}rchins were surveyed at 105 stations with contrasted habitat structure/anthropic disturbance levels; 32 environmental variables (water/sediment characteristics, reef structuring species) were considered. {M}oderate densities were generally observed at station scale (mean 0.5 individuals m(-2)). {T}he combination of univariate and multivariate techniques highlighted patchy distributions for {D}iadema as well as {E}chinometra, with distinct species/habitat associations; environmental gradients occurring within the bays did not seem to influence the species patterns. {F}or {D}iadema, the spatial variability was better explained by sediment type than by biotic cover; increasing densities occurred across habitats with larger sediment sizes and decreasing coral complexity/macrophytes cover. {I}n contrast, the distribution of {E}. mathaei exhibited weak relationships with habitat variables. {I}n coral reefs, small-scale heterogeneity may thus be responsible for most of urchins spatial variability.},
  keywords = {coral reefs ; new {C}aledonian ; sea urchins ; spatial distribution},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{J}ournal of {E}xperimental {M}arine {B}iology and {E}cology},
  volume = {344},
  numero = {1},
  pages = {88--100},
  ISSN = {0022-0981},
  year = {2007},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.jembe.2006.12.015},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010037958},
}