The distribution of modern ichnoassociations in the Tavira barrier-island system (Ria Formosa, Algarve, Portugal) is mapped using a GPS-equipped camera. 36 ichnites are identified, including modern analogues of the trace fossils Archaeonassa, Avipeda, Diopatrichnus, Diplocraterion, Entobia, Laterigradus, Lockeia, Lumbricaria, Monocraterion, Oichnus, Polykladichnus, Protovirgularia, Psilonichnus, Rusophycus, Skolithos and Haplotichnus. These traces form 15 ichnoassociations, each of which is linked with a well-constrained depositional setting. Ichnoassociations of the wave-swept fore-barrier foreshore are characterized by low diversity and bioturbation intensity, whereas those of the back-barrier (protected) tidal flats display high diversity and bioturbation intensity. This asymmetrical distribution is primarily explained by hydrodynamics, deriving from the sheltering role of the barrier. Emersion time and substrate cohesiveness also play an important structuring role in the distribution of the Tavira Island ichnoassociations. Ichnoassociation mapping allows to define a predictive model of ichnoassociation distribution, providing an immediately applicable tool for palaeoenvironmental reconstitutions of barrier-island systems.

使用配备 GPS 的相机绘制了 Tavira 屏障岛系统（Ria Formosa，Algarve，Portugal）中现代鱼类协会的分布图。已鉴定出 36 种 ichnites，包括遗迹化石Archaeonassa、Avipeda、Diopatrichnus、Diplocraterion、Entobia、Laterigradus、Lockeia、Lumbricaria、Monocraterion、Oichnus、Polykladichnus、Protovirgularia、Psilonichnus、Rusophycus和Hasophycus 的现代类似物。这些痕迹形成了 15 个 ichnoassociations，每一个都与一个受限制的沉积环境相关联。波掠前障前滩的物种组合具有多样性和生物扰动强度低的特点，而后屏障（受保护的）滩涂则表现出高多样性和生物扰动强度。这种不对称分布主要由流体动力学解释，源于屏障的遮蔽作用。出现时间和底物内聚性在 Tavira Island ichnoassociations 的分布中也起着重要的结构作用。鱼类关联映射允许定义鱼类关联分布的预测模型，为屏障岛系统的古环境重建提供立即适用的工具。