Mariana Bender (Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Departamento de Ecologia e Zoologia, Marine Macroecology and Conservation Lab., ReefSYN – Reef Synthesis Working Group)
Reefs, known as the most diverse marine ecosystems, play a crucial role in providing a wide array of services to millions of people worldwide. Both biogenic and rocky reefs extend along the vast Brazilian coast, with varying diversity patterns. Standardized and large-scale sampling of Brazilian reef assemblages have accumulated over the last 20 years, mostly an outcome of both human resources and the efforts of research programs as SISBIOTA-Mar and PELD-Iloc (Long Term Ecological Research of Brazilians Oceanic Islands). The ReefSYN (Reef Synthesis Working Group) has synthesized biological, environmental and social data to investigate biodiversity patterns and the ecosystem services derived from Brazilian reefs. More specifically, we investigated the functional diversity patterns of benthic and reef fish assemblages. Additionally, we examined the various services provided by these ecosystems, including reef fisheries, the aesthetic values associated with reefs, and the significance of seafood in ensuring food security for the Brazilian population. The functional diversity of benthic and reef fish assemblages vary in space, as does the aesthetic values of reefs as perceived by the Brazilian population. Despite seafood consumption in Brazil being relatively low compared to other countries, it is noteworthy that seafood offers superior micronutrient content compared to other widely consumed protein sources such as beef and poultry. In this presentation, I will delve into the intricate details surrounding the diversity and significance of Brazilian marginal reefs.