Global ecosystem typology

Alternative site for the Global ecosystem typology with additional information for ecosystem profiles and indicative maps.

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SM1.3 Sea caves

Biome: SM1. Subterranean tidal biome

Contributors:
(texts)

Sea caves are formed by waves action on fissures in a wide range of rocky coastlines around the world. Unlike anchialine caves, salinity gradients are weak and a strong marine influence is maintained throughout their extent. They support a range of sessile invertebrates (e.g. sponges, cnidarians, bryozoans), mobile invertebrates (e.g. molluscs, crustaceans, annelids,) and fish. Some organisms appear to be exclusive to sea caves, some shelter in sea caves diurnally, and others are itinerant visitors.

Key Features

Wave-exposed caves provide dim light and shelter to cave-exclusive, resident and transient/ migratory invertebrates and fish..

Overview of distribution

Coastal headlands, rocky and coral reefs globally.

Profile versions

  • v2.0 (2020-06-17): V Gerovasileiou; TM Iliffe; V Gerovasileiou; B Gonzalez; D Brankovits; A Martínez García; DA Keith
  • v2.01 ():
  • v2.1 (2022-04-06): TM Iliffe; D Brankovits; V Gerovasileiou; B Gonzalez; A Martínez García; DA Keith Full profile available at official site

Main references

Selected references for this functional group:

  • Cicogna F, Bianchi CN, Ferrari G, Forti P (2003) Le grotte marine: cinquant’anni di ricerca in Italia Ministero dell’Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio: Roma

  • Gerovasileiou V, Martínez A, Álvarez F, Boxshall G, Humphreys W, Jaume D, Becking L, Muricy G, van Hengstum P, Dekeyzer S, Decock W, Vanhoorne B, Vandepitte L, Bailly N, Iliffe T (2016) World Register of marine Cave Species (WoRCS): a new thematic species database for marine and anchialine cave biodiversity Research Ideas and Outcomes 2, e10451

  • Riedl R (1966) Biologie der Meereshöhlen Paul Parey: Hamburg

  • Gerovasileiou V, Bianchi CN (2019) Mediterranean marine caves: a synthesis of current knowledge MedKeyHabitats II Project (UNEP-MAP, SPA/RAC: Tunis

Diagrammatic assembly model

Diagrammatic assembly model of SM1.3 Sea caves. See general notes on diagrams. Open image full size.

Maps

Maps are indicative of global distribution patterns are not intended to represent fine-scale patterns. The maps show areas of the world containing major (coloured red) or minor occurrences (coloured yellow) of each ecosystem functional group. See general notes on maps.

There are 2 alternative versions of the indicative map for this functional group, please compare description and sources below.

SM1.3.IM.grid_v3.0

Datasets

  • MEOW-2008

Map references

  • Spalding MD, Fox HE, Allen GR, Davidson N, Ferdaña ZA, Finlayson M, Halpern BS, Jorge MA, Lombana A, Lourie SA, Martin KD, McManus E, Molnar J, Recchia CA, Robertson J (2007) Marine ecoregions of the world: a bioregionalization of coastal and shelf areas. Bioscience 57: 573–583. DOI:10.1641/B570707

SM1.3.web.grid_v3.0

Marine ecoregions (Spalding et al. 2008) containing occurrences of rocky coastline (see MT1.1) were verified by inspection of imagery available in Google Earth to identify an envelope of potential distribution for sea caves. The coastlines within these ecoregions were summarised using a template of 1-degree grid cell intersected with the coast. As caves represent a small portion of such coastlines, all mapped areas were designated as minor occurrences. Open image full size.

Datasets

  • MEOW-2008

Map references

  • Spalding MD, Fox HE, Allen GR, Davidson N, Ferdaña ZA, Finlayson M, Halpern BS, Jorge MA, Lombana A, Lourie SA, Martin KD, McManus E, Molnar J, Recchia CA, Robertson J (2007) Marine ecoregions of the world: a bioregionalization of coastal and shelf areas. Bioscience 57: 573–583. DOI:10.1641/B570707

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