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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Fabrice StephensonORCiD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
© 2025 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. Fan shells (Family Pinnidae) have high ecological importance but are facing global declines including in New Zealand. Given the scarcity of data regarding the degree of these losses, understanding current population spatial extents and distributional drivers is needed for restoration management. A subtidal towed underwater camera survey was conducted at 62 sites to elucidate Atrina zelandica extent in Tauranga Harbour, Bay of Plenty. We observed sparse populations (occurrences at 12 sites, densities < 1–88 ind. 100 m−2), indicating harbour-wide declines compared to historical records. Habitat suitability modelling was used to identify possible environmental drivers influencing Atrina and predict areas suitable for restoration. The model performed well (AUC = 0.85) and predicted large areas of high habitat suitability (probability of occurrence > 0.6). Mud content (7–35%), maximum current speed (< 1.5 m s−1), sediment organic matter (< 1% and 5–8.5%) and turbidity (< 6.2 g m−3) were identified as the key drivers of predicted habitat suitability. Absence of Atrina from areas of high predicted suitability and historical occupancy indicates other factors are restricting recovery. Ongoing destructive benthic activities, alongside Allee effects may be hindering natural recovery, necessitating active restoration and stressor removal to reestablish populations.
Author(s): Ellis-Smith BG, Needham HR, Stephenson F, Hillman JR, Lohrer AM, Ellis JI, Pilditch CA
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research
Year: 2025
Pages: Epub ahead of print
Online publication date: 09/07/2025
Acceptance date: 25/06/2025
Date deposited: 21/07/2025
ISSN (print): 0028-8330
ISSN (electronic): 1175-8805
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Ltd
URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/00288330.2025.2527219
DOI: 10.1080/00288330.2025.2527219
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