TITLE:
Ecological Approach of Marine Sponges: The Case of Martinique
AUTHORS:
Caroline Edouard
KEYWORDS:
Sea Sponges, Martinique, Caribbean, Diversity, Substrates, Benthic Habitats, Ecology
JOURNAL NAME:
Natural Resources,
Vol.16 No.13,
December
29,
2025
ABSTRACT: This study is an ecological assessment of the Porifera on 22 stations in Martinique (Lesser Antilles). We used the quadrat method and counted each species present in a 32 m2 area. Abiotic factors such as hydrodynamics, substrate type and inclination, and bathymetry were noted. These factors influence the distribution of sponges and their ability to recruit new spaces. The study shows that sites with a bedrock and a rather vertical slope have a specific diversity and therefore an interspecific competition higher than those with a sandy-rocky substratum. There are 7 species of sponges, including 4 families characteristic for the sandy-rocky bottoms against 20 species including 15 families for the bedrock. She also illustrated the impact of bathymetry. Stations ranging from 2 meters to 13 meters deep. The specific diversity increases when bathymetry also increases. The CHERRY 1, CHERRY 2, CHERRY 3 stations have 1 species (4 m), compared to 19 for the more diversified station LEZARDE 1 (10 m).