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Comparison of small remotely operated vehicles and diver-operated video of circalittoral benthos
Boavida, J.; Assis, J.; Reed, J.; Serrão, E.A.; Gonçalves, J.M.S. (2016). Comparison of small remotely operated vehicles and diver-operated video of circalittoral benthos. Hydrobiologia 766(1): 247-260. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-015-2459-y
In: Hydrobiologia. Springer: The Hague. ISSN 0018-8158; e-ISSN 1573-5117, more
Peer reviewed article  

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Keywords
    Exploitable Scientific Result
    Fisheries > Gear/Technology
    Marine Sciences
    Scientific Community
    Scientific Publication
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    Underwater video; ROV; Diver-operated video; Circalittoral benthicinvertebrates

Project Top | Authors 
  • Association of European marine biological laboratories, more

Authors  Top 
  • Boavida, J.
  • Assis, J.
  • Reed, J.
  • Serrão, E.A.
  • Gonçalves, J.M.S.

Abstract
    Underwater video transect methods using small remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and diver-operated video (DOV) are commonly used in benthic biodiversity assessments. Constraints posed by deeper waters have made surveys of the circalittoral zone (> 30 m depth), a particularly challenging problem. Here we compare benthic diversity metrics and cluster analyses obtained with ROV and DOV between 45 and 65 m depth off southwest Iberia, across local (tens to hundreds of meters) and regional scales (tens of kilometers). Results showed no difference between methods in terms of the benthic species richness, taxonomic distinctness, and beta diversity, but only minor differences in the spatial structure depicted at the regional level. At the local scale, DOV performed better at discriminating patterns likely because of the divers visual acuity. We found that small ROV and DOV are reliable and comparable methods for the study of circalittoral benthic assemblages and can be used in a complimentary way to detect the greatest amount of variation in benthic ecosystems. Our study facilitates the understanding of capabilities and limitations of two underwater video methods and provides important insight into choice of the most appropriate technique.

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