Abstract Large-scale spatial variability of macrofaunal traits has rarely been studied. This paucity of information hinders progress to derive indicators of seabed integrity under current policy drivers. Based on data from 327 stations across the Greater North Sea, a sub-region of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), we describe variability in the numerical dominance of ten important macrofaunal traits and their relationships with the physical environment. For six traits (longevity, larval development position, egg development position, sediment position and bioturbation method), macrofaunal assemblages were dominated by one or two trait categories; these traits showed more pronounced spatial patterns than traits with a wider (and more even) trait category expression. Similar spatial distributions of some dominant categories were observed. For example, egg-brooding, surface-dwelling and suspension feeding traits were dominant in the central English Channel and off the Humber Estuary. Traits generally showed weak spatial relationships with environmental variables, although sediment position and feeding type were related to variations in bed shear stress and gravel content. We discuss the implications of these findings in relation to monitoring seabed integrity under the MSFD.

中文翻译：

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大北海大型动物特征的空间变异性

摘要 大型动物性状的大尺度空间变异性很少被研究。这种信息的缺乏阻碍了在当前政策驱动下得出海底完整性指标的进展。基于来自欧盟海洋战略框架指令 (MSFD) 子区域大北海 327 个站点的数据，我们描述了十个重要大型动物特征的数量优势及其与物理环境的关系。对于6个性状（寿命、幼虫发育位、卵发育位、沉积位和生物扰动方式），大型动物群落以一两个性状类别为主；这些特征比具有更广泛（甚至更均匀）特征类别表达的特征显示出更明显的空间模式。观察到一些主导类别的类似空间分布。例如，在英吉利海峡中部和亨伯河口附近，卵育、水面栖息和悬浮摄食性状占主导地位。尽管沉积物位置和进料类型与床层剪切应力和砾石含量的变化有关，但性状通常与环境变量显示出较弱的空间关系。我们讨论了这些发现对根据 MSFD 监测海底完整性的影响。尽管沉积物位置和进料类型与床层剪切应力和砾石含量的变化有关。我们讨论了这些发现对根据 MSFD 监测海底完整性的影响。尽管沉积物位置和进料类型与床层剪切应力和砾石含量的变化有关。我们讨论了这些发现对根据 MSFD 监测海底完整性的影响。