Biotic carbon stocks across trophic levels in the shallow littoral zone – the role of biodiversity and environmental drivers

), while the carbon stocks of epifauna and fish were much smaller. Biodiversity, here represented by taxon richness, and sediment properties (i.e., fine sediment and organic matter content) were the most important drivers of variation in the different compartments of the biotic carbon stock. Our study shows that shallow, littoral ecosystems are important in capturing carbon and sustaining biodiversity, which should be considered in management and conservation strategies.