Connectivity modelling informs metapopulation structure and conservation priorities for a reef‐building species

Aim In coastal marine systems, biogenic reef-building species have great importance for conservation as they provide habitat a wide range of species, promoting biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and services. Biogenic reef persistence recovery from perturbations depend on recolonization by new recruits. Characterizing larval dispersal among distant reefs is key to understanding how connectivity shapes metapopulation structure determines network coherence; all which are critical effective conservation. Location Northeast Atlantic coast western English Channel, France. Methods We used biophysical transport model simulate the polychaete Sabellaria alveolata. combined modelling analysis into framework aiming identify areas pathways, whose presence in vital its overall coherence. evaluated changes pathways constrained different thresholds, i.e., minimum rate connection. tested scenarios sequential loss reefs: randomly, quality (a score status occupancy an area) or betweenness centrality metric (BC; quantifying proportion shortest paths connecting that passing through any given area). Results found S. alveolata forms two main regional clusters, connected only weak sporadic events. Within each cluster, characterized relatively high neighbouring with reefs, maintained even under higher thresholds. Simulating further identified those highest BC values, Main conclusions Effective this important requires protected designed sustain combination locally source act stepping stones reefs.