118 results on '"Chemello R"'
Search Results
2. How does warmer sea water change the sensitivity of a Mediterranean thermophilic coral after immune-stimulation?
- Author
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Bisanti, L., La Corte, C., Dara, M., Bertini, F., Parrinello, D., Chemello, R., Cammarata, M., and Parisi, M. G.
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
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3. Bi- and three-dimensional fractal analysis of the brown seaweed Gongolaria montagnei and their relationship with gastropod molluscs assemblage
- Author
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Mancuso, F.P., Milazzo, M., Sarà, G., and Chemello, R.
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
4. Assessing vermetid reefs as indicators of past sea levels in the Mediterranean
- Author
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Sisma-Ventura, G., Antonioli, F., Silenzi, S., Devoti, S., Montagna, P., Chemello, R., Shemesh, A., Yam, R., Gehrels, R., Dean, S., Rilov, G., and Sivan, D.
- Published
- 2020
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5. Body Size and Mating Strategies in the Simultaneous Hermaphrodite Oxynoe olivacea (Mollusca, Opisthobranchia, Sacoglossa)
- Author
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Gianguzza, P., Badalamenti, F., Jensen, K. R., Chemello, R., Cannicci, S., and Riggio, S.
- Published
- 2004
6. Meiofauna associated with vermetid reefs: the role of macroalgae in increasing habitat size and complexity
- Author
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Ape, F., Gristina, M., Chemello, R., Sarà, G., and Mirto, S.
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
7. Effects of structural complexity on epifaunal assemblages associated with two intertidal Mediterranean seaweeds.
- Author
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Mancuso, F. P., Lo Brutto, S., Chemello, R., Sarà, G., and Mannino, A. M.
- Subjects
EFFECT of human beings on climate change ,COASTAL biodiversity - Abstract
Brown foundation seaweeds are key elements increasing substrate heterogeneity and shaping the biodiversity in rocky coastal ecosystems. They are, however, vulnerable species that are declining due to multiple anthropogenic and climate change stressors, leading to a shift to less structural complex habitats. We investigate the role of structural attributes of two intertidal macroalgae, Ericaria amentacea and Laurencia obtusa, in shaping the abundance and diversity of their associated epifaunal assemblages. For this aim, we measured seaweeds' biomass, thallus volume and length (used here as proxy of substrate complexity), and explored which seaweeds' substrate attribute explained better variation of epifaunal assemblages. Results showed that E. amentacea was more complex than L. obtusa and hosted a higher number of epifaunal individuals. However, unlike that expected, the epifaunal assemblage of L. obtusa was more structured with higher Shannon–Wiener diversity and Pielous' evenness. Our findings indicate that, besides seaweed's substrate attributes, other mechanisms such as wave action and chemical defense might play a role in structuring epifaunal assemblages. We suggest that a shift from E. amentacea to L. obtusa population could have effect on structure and abundance of associated epifaunal assemblages. Certainly, further investigations are needed to clear up the consequences of these changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
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8. Latitudinal- and local-scale variations in a rocky intertidal interaction web
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Maggi, E., Milazzo, M., Graziano, M., Chemello, R., and Benedetti-Cecchi, L.
- Published
- 2015
9. Trophic cascades in benthic marine ecosystems: lessons for fisheries and protected-area management
- Author
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PINNEGAR, J.K., POLUNIN, N.V.C., FRANCOUR, P., BADALAMENTI, F., CHEMELLO, R., HARMELIN-VIVIEN, M.-L., HEREU, B., MILAZZO, M., ZABALA, M., D'ANNA, G., and PIPITONE, C.
- Published
- 2000
10. Evaluating the ecological effects of Mediterranean marine protected areas: habitat, scale and the natural variability of ecosystems
- Author
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CHARTON, J.A. GARCÍA, WILLIAMS, I.D., RUZAFA, A. PÉREZ, MILAZZO, M., CHEMELLO, R., MARCOS, C., KITSOS, M.-S., KOUKOURAS, A., and RIGGIO, S.
- Published
- 2000
11. Effectiveness of European Atlanto-Mediterranean MPAs: Do they accomplish the expected effects on populations, communities and ecosystems?
- Author
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García-Charton, J.A., Pérez-Ruzafa, A., Marcos, C., Claudet, J., Badalamenti, F., Benedetti-Cecchi, L., Falcón, J.M., Milazzo, M., Schembri, P.J., Stobart, B., Vandeperre, F., Brito, A., Chemello, R., Dimech, M., Domenici, P., Guala, I., Le Diréach, L., Maggi, E., and Planes, S.
- Published
- 2008
- Full Text
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12. Effects of fish feeding by snorkellers on the density and size distribution of fishes in a Mediterranean marine protected area
- Author
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Milazzo, M., Badalamenti, F., Vega Fernández, T., and Chemello, R.
- Published
- 2005
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13. Effect of algal architecture on associated fauna: some evidence from phytal molluscs
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Chemello, R. and Milazzo, M.
- Published
- 2002
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14. A comparative study of the mollusc communities of a Mediterranean saltwork (Marsala, Western Sicily
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Gianguzza P, Chemello R, Gianguzza P, and Chemello R
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Settore BIO/07 - Ecologia ,saltworks,molluscs, Stagnone di Marsala - Abstract
Saltworks are peculiar artificial ecosystems and holds great interest for basic research. In fact the cooling vat (the first pond of the evaporating series) is a good example of a relatively closed area and can be considered an excellent in the field open-air laboratory, namely a mesocosm reproducing a simplified model of the natural condition of hyperaline lagoons. The aim of the present work was to analyse the structure, composition and distribution of molluscan assemblages and to identify the faunistic relationships between the cooling vat and the neighbouring basin of Stagnone di Marsala, beside considering exchanges between saltwork, Stagnone di Marsala and sea, on soft- bottom, covered by Cymodocea nodosa. In structural terms, two molluscan communities can be identified. As regard the saltwork, the community was always characterized by halolimnobic and euryaline species such as Ventrosia ventrosa, Loripes lacteus, Abra segmentum and Pirenella conica. while the community inhabiting Stagnone was composed mainly of marine taxa; here a good exchange with the sea is confirmed by the high values for species richness and diversity gives rise mainly to the presence of marine taxa: e. g Jujubinus striatus, Dikoleps nitens, Rissoa paradoxa, R. similis, Columbella rustica etc. The saltwork molluscan assemblage doesn’t seem to be similar to that of the Stagnone. The low specific richness, the high abundance and the low evenness, showed a pioneer stage of colonization, being poor in species and dominated by taxa with high abundance and low evenness
- Published
- 2018
15. Settlement performance of the Mediterranean reef-builders Dendropoma cristatum (Biondi 1859) in response to natural bacterial films
- Author
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La Marca, E., Catania, V., Quatrini, P., Milazzo, M., Chemello, R., Emanuela Claudia La Marca, Valentina Catania, Paola Quatrini, Marco Milazzo, and Renato Chemello.
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Biological engineers Reefs Vermetidae Mediterranean sea Dendropoma cristatum Settlement Bacteria Biological cues ,Settore BIO/07 - Ecologia - Abstract
The gastropod Dendropoma cristatum is a biogenic engineer of the central Mediterranean, forming reefs along the lower rocky intertidal fringe with a remarkable ecological role. To understand whether reef-associated biofilm cultivable bacterial and biofilm ageing may trigger the settlement of the juvenile snails, a combination of laboratory techniques and field experiments was used. Reef-associated biofilm cultivable bacteria were isolated, and a settlement-choice experiment was performed in situ on artificial biofilms composed of i) a mixture of six biofilm-forming selected isolates, ii) all the cultivable bacteria, and iii) 13-, 23-, 32-day old biofilms formed under naturalconditions. Overall,settlement ratesignificantlydifferedamong biofilmtreatments(p < 0.0001). A significant positive correlation between biofilm ageing and juvenile D. cristatum settlement was assessed (r=0.69 (p < 0.001), whereas the biofilm bacterial composition (relatively to the cultivable fraction) did not show any effect on the vermetid's settlement rate.
- Published
- 2018
16. Effects of the invasion of macroalga Asparagopsis taxiformis on the polychaete assemblages associated to the native macroalga Cystoseira brachycarpa in the Mediterranean Sea
- Author
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Mikac B, D’Agostaro R, Badalamenti F, Milazzo M, Musco L, Chemello R, Mikac B, D’Agostaro R, Badalamenti F, Milazzo M, Musco L, and Chemello R
- Subjects
Polychaeta, alien species, algae, Tyrrhenian - Abstract
The establishment of non-indigenous species is one of the major threats to Mediterranean biodiversity. The tropical red macroalga Asparagopsis taxiformis is widely distributed in the Mediterranean Sea and appears invasive along the shallow rocky areas of western Sicily (Italy). Here it competes for space with the native brown macroalgae of the genus Cystoseira, in particular with C. brachycarpa, a valuable Mediterranean habitat former. This research aims to evaluate the potential effects of invasion of A. taxiformis on the polychaete assemblages associated with C. brachycarpa. Polychaetes were sorted from Cystoseira and Asparagopsis thalli collected along the Favignana Island (Sicily) in the rocky infralittoral algal community from four locations with different degree of invasion: 1) non-invaded, 2) invaded but dominated by Cystoseira, 3) invaded and dominated by Asparagopsis, 4) completely invaded. Ten replicates of each algal thalli were collected from two sites per location. Structure of polychaete assemblages changed significantly among degree of invasion. Reductions of average polychaete abundance and species richness occurred with invasion, with 58 individuals and 12 species per thallus on non-invaded location, only 4 individuals and 2 species on completely invaded location, and almost equal, intermediate values, on two partially invaded locations. Decrease of abundance was mainly caused by the decrease of sabellid Amphiglena mediterranea and syllids Syllis prolifera and Sphaerosyllis austriaca. These results raise concerns on the spread of non-indigenous habitat forming species and their potential impact on biodiversity at local scale.
- Published
- 2016
17. Finding of a living population of Panopea glycimeris (Von Born, 1778) (Bivalvia; Hiatellidae) in Eastern Sicily (Mediterranean Sea)
- Author
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Scotti, G., Antioco, S., Andaloro, F., Chemello, R., Scotti, G, Antioco, S, Andaloro, F, and Chemello, R
- Subjects
Settore BIO/07 - Ecologia ,Panopea glycimeris ,Hiatellidae ,vulnerable species ,biodiversity ,Mediterranean bivalves ,Panopea glycimeri ,vulnerable specie - Abstract
A consistent living population of Panopea glycimeris (von Born, 1778) was documented underwater along the eastern coast of Sicily. Twenty specimens were counted over an area of 1000 m(2), with an estimated total population of less than 300 individuals. The morphometric measurements of an adult specimen captured are provided. Proposals to adopt protection measures for this species are discussed.
- Published
- 2011
18. Hard bottoms
- Author
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BIANCHI C. N, PRONZATO R, CATTANEO VIETTI R, BENEDETTI CECCHI L, MORRI C, PANSINI M, CHEMELLO R, MILAZZO M, PEIRANO A, SALVATI E, BENZONI F, CALCINAI B, CERRANO C, BAVESTRELLO G., FRASCHETTI, Simonetta, TERLIZZI, Antonio, GAMBI M.C., DAPPIANO M., BIANCHI C., N, Pronzato, R, CATTANEO VIETTI, R, BENEDETTI CECCHI, L, Morri, C, Pansini, M, Chemello, R, Milazzo, M, Fraschetti, Simonetta, Terlizzi, Antonio, Peirano, A, Salvati, E, Benzoni, F, Calcinai, B, Cerrano, C, and Bavestrello, G.
- Published
- 2004
19. Hard bottoms. In: Mediterranean marine benthos: a manual of methods for its sampling and study
- Author
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Bianchi, CN, Pronzato, R, Cattaneo-Vietti, R, Benedetti Cecchi, L, Morri, C, Pansini, M, Chemello, R, MILAZZO, MARIO MARCELLO, Fraschetti, S, Terlizzi, A, Peirano, A, Salvati, E, Benzoni, F, Calcinai, B, Cerrano, C, Bavestrello, G, Bianchi, C, Pronzato, R, Cattaneo-Vietti, R, Benedetti Cecchi, L, Morri, C, Pansini, M, Chemello, R, Milazzo, M, Fraschetti, S, Terlizzi, A, Peirano, A, Salvati, E, Benzoni, F, Calcinai, B, Cerrano, C, and Bavestrello, G
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Hard bottoms, sampling methods ,BIO/07 - ECOLOGIA ,BIO/05 - ZOOLOGIA - Published
- 2003
20. Patterns of spatial distribution of three intertidal Pachygrapsus species in Mediterranean vermetid reefs
- Author
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PLICANTI A., MILAZZO M., PIPITONE C., and CHEMELLO R.
- Published
- 2012
21. Introduced marine species in Italy
- Author
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OCCHIPINTI AMBROGI, A, Badalamenti, F, Cantone, G, Castelli, A, Chemello, R, Gambi, M, Giangrande, A, Mastrototaro, F, Solustri, C, Froglia, C, Mizzan, L, Riggio, S, Russo, G, Savini, D, Giaccone, G, Cormaci, M, Curiel, D, Furnari, G, Serio, Donatella, Cecere, E, Andaloro, F, Castriota, L, RELINI ORSI, L, and Serena, F.
- Published
- 2004
22. Hard bottoms
- Author
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Bianchi, Carlo, Pronzato, Roberto, Cattaneo Vietti, R., Benedetti Cecchi, L., Morri, Carla, Pansini, Maurizio, Chemello, R., Milazzo, M., Fraschetti, S., Terlizzi, A., Peirano, A., Salvati, E., Benzoni, F., Calcinai, B., Cerrano, C., and Bavestrello, Giorgio
- Published
- 2004
23. Are artificial reefs comparable to neighbouring natural rocky areas? The molluscs case study in the Gulf of Castellammare
- Author
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Badalamenti F., Chemello R., D'Anna G., Henriquez P., and Riggio S.
- Subjects
Artificial Reefs ,Benthic Assemblages ,Multivariate Analysis ,Mediterranean Sea ,Molluscs - Abstract
Mollusc assemblages of three concrete artificial reefs (ARs) in the Gulf of Castellammare were compared with those of two nearby natural reefs (NRs). The reefs were located in areas characterized by different degrees of water transparency, with average annual Secchi disk visibility ranging from clear (>20 m) to turbid waters (
- Published
- 2002
24. Feeding preferences of Oxynoe olivacea (Opisthobranchia, Saccoglossa) among three Caulerpa species
- Author
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Gianguzza, P., Airoldi, L, Chemello, R., Todd, C. D., and Riggio, S.
- Published
- 2002
25. Recruitment patterns in an intertidal species with low dispersal ability: the reef-building Dendropoma cristatum (Biondi, 1859) (Mollusca: Gastropoda).
- Author
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Franzitta, G., Capruzzi, E., La Marca, E. C., Milazzo, M., and Chemello, R.
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GASTROPODA ,INTERTIDAL animals ,ANIMAL species ,WILDLIFE conservation ,ANIMAL ecology - Abstract
In the Mediterranean, the gastropodDendropoma cristatum(sin.D. petraeum(Monterosato, 1884)) is the primary builder of the vermetid reef, an intertidal bioconstruction of exceptional ecological importance. Despite awareness of the need for conservation of this key species, the biology ofD. cristatumremains poorly understood. The recruitment ofD. cristatumdeserves particular attention because the absence of a planktonic larval stage limits its dispersal ability. We examined the temporal pattern of recruitment during the breeding season ofD. cristatumfrom June to September in 2013. Specifically, we compared the two portions of the vermetid reef (i.e. the inner edge and the outer edge) at localities with different exposures to wave motion. The number of recruits peaked in July, when it was significantly higher in the outer than in the inner edge. No differences emerged between localities with different wave exposures; however, the width of the reef was significantly related to the exposure index. Although there are still several gaps in our knowledge of the recruitment dynamics ofD. cristatum, this study contributes to characterising recruitment rate variation at small spatial and temporal scales. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]
- Published
- 2016
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26. Atlas of the Mediterranean Nudibranchs
- Author
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CATTANEO VIETTI, Riccardo, Chemello, R., and GIANUZZI SAVELLI, R.
- Published
- 1990
27. Hiding behaviour of Oxynoe olivacea (Mollusca: Opisthobranchia: Sacoglossa) in the invasive seaweed Caulerpa taxifolia.
- Author
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Gianguzza, P., Jensen, K. R., Bonaviri, C., Agnetta, D., and Chemello, R.
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SACOGLOSSA ,MARINE algae ,CAULERPA taxifolia ,NOXIOUS weeds ,HABITATS ,MARINE invertebrates ,OPISTHOBRANCHIA - Abstract
The occurrence of the invasive seaweedCaulerpa taxifoliain the Straits of Messina (Italy) provides an excellent opportunity to examine the spatial and temporal patterns of abundance of the endemic Mediterranean sacoglossanOxynoe olivacea.Densities of this species were recorded in March, June and October 2000 on three different habitats: the underside of boulders (UNB), the upper side of boulders (UPB), and the surface of concrete blocks (CB). Results showed that in March,O. olivaceawas consistently more abundant on UNB whereas in June it was present exclusively on CB. The density ofO. olivaceawas similar in the three habitats in October. The hiding behaviour ofO. olivaceaand its seeming disappearance in March did not coincide with a decline of abundance of phylloids ofC. taxifolia.The results represent an important basis for further studies devoted to the investigation of abundance of these marine invertebrates, which has been traditionally thought of as unpredictable. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]
- Published
- 2013
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28. Body size and mating strategies in the simultaneous hermaphroditeOxynoe olivacea(Mollusca, Opisthobranchia, Sacoglossa).
- Author
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Gianguzza, P., Badalamenti, F., Jensen, K. R., Chemello, R., Cannicci, S., and Riggio, S.
- Subjects
SEX allocation ,INTERSEXUALITY ,MOLLUSKS ,SEX (Biology) ,ANIMAL sexual behavior ,ECOLOGY - Abstract
1. To better understand the role and importance of body size in hermaphroditic mating system theory, the mating behaviour of the shelled sacoglossanOxynoe olivaceawas studied. This simultaneous hermaphrodite exhibits bilateral and unilateral sperm transfer and thus it is particularly suitable for studies on hermaphrodite sexual conflict.2. In this study three hypotheses on body size were tested: thatO. olivaceapartner size has an effect on (i) mating mode choice, (ii) duration of mating modes, and (iii) choice of sexual role. Furthermore, we tested Charnov's hypothesis that inO. olivacea, like many simultaneous hermaphrodites, a sexual conflict exists and the male role is preferred.3. A laboratory experiment was done to test the aforementioned hypothesis and to observe the general mating behaviour ofO. olivacea. Pairs of similar (S) and different (D) sizes were considered for a total of five different treatments (S1, S2, S3, D1, D2).4. During the five copulatory treatmentsO. olivaceamated up to 93 times. Specifically, pairs of the same size mated with bilateral sperm transfer while unilateral copulation was common in pairs of slightly differing size. Contrary to predictions, animals of small body size started mating in the female role.O. olivaceashowed an active alternation of sexual roles and thus did not specialize in one particular sexual role.5. This study produced evidence of a relationship between mating mode and body size inO. olivaceaand highlighted the need for new studies on this simultaneously hermaphroditic species.Functional Ecology(2004)18, 899 –906 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2004
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- View/download PDF
29. Short-term effect of human trampling on the upper infralittoral macroalgae of Ustica Island MPA (western Mediterranean, Italy).
- Author
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Milazzo, M., Chemello, R., Badalamenti, F., and Riggio, S.
- Abstract
The short-term response of Mediterranean upper infralittoral macroalgal species to experimental human trampling was investigated. Disturbances of six different intensities were applied within the integral reserve of the Ustica Island marine protected area (Italy, Mediterranean Sea). The dominant macroalgal species Cystoseira brachicarpa v. balearica and Dictyota mediterranea were strongly affected by human trampling. Higher levels of disturbance significantly affected both algal percentage cover and canopy at an increasing rate. Three months after trampling, for both variables it was highlighted that the algal recovery from disturbance was incomplete, being significantly different among trampling intensities. The current study revealed that in the short-term it was not possible to identify critical levels of trampling that are sustainable for this shallow community. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]
- Published
- 2002
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30. Exploring the development of scientific research on Marine Protected Areas: From conservation to global ocean sustainability.
- Author
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Picone, F., Buonocore, E., Chemello, R., Russo, G.F., and Franzese, P.P.
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OCEAN zoning ,MARINE parks & reserves ,BIBLIOGRAPHIC databases ,SCIENTIFIC literature ,SCIENTIFIC knowledge ,PROTECTED areas ,SCIENTIFIC development - Abstract
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are playing a central role in the achievement of ocean sustainability and, since 2000, their global coverage has increased over ten times. The success of MPAs, and therefore the delivery of their potential outcomes for human well-being and global sustainability, requires multi-disciplinary, holistic, and comprehensive approaches for its achievement. In this study, the global scientific literature on MPAs was quantitatively reviewed through bibliometrics approaches, investigating patterns and trends in its development over time. In particular, bibliometric network and citation burst analyses of keywords were performed using VOSviewer and CiteSpace software. The bibliographic search on the Scopus and Web of Science databases resulted in a total number of 5908 and 6036 scientific documents published on MPAs. The network analysis of the keywords co-occurrence produced four main clusters whose connections and overlapping showed a multidisciplinary structure of MPA science, in which the ecological, social, and economic domains of research are strongly interlinked. Temporal analyses showed a recent focus on topics related to the social-ecological systems theory (e.g., ecosystem services, marine spatial planning, governance, and small-scale fisheries) suggesting that newer research lines recognize the importance of integrating the "human dimension" in conservation and sustainability studies. Overall, the results of both the performed bibliometric analyses pointed out the evolution of MPA science from the conventional concept of "marine reserves" to a broader scope integrating ecological, economic, and social aspects. In conclusion, MPA research is timely responding to the identification of MPAs as ocean sustainability tools, opening MPA science to multi-disciplinary research lines by linking the ecological and socio-economic dimensions of sustainability. MPA research is expected to play a crucial role in generating the interdisciplinary scientific knowledge needed to fully contribute to global ocean sustainability and human well-being. Unlabelled Image • Scientific research on MPAs is highly interdisciplinary. • MPA research evolved over time encompassing ecological and socio-economic aspects. • Over the years, human-related keywords increased in MPA scientific literature. • The human dimension plays a central role in marine conservation. • MPA research is responding to international commitments for ocean sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
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31. Marine protected areas overall success evaluation (MOSE): A novel integrated framework for assessing management performance and social-ecological benefits of MPAs.
- Author
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Picone, F., Buonocore, E., Claudet, J., Chemello, R., Russo, G.F., and Franzese, P.P.
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MARINE parks & reserves ,ADAPTIVE natural resource management ,PERFORMANCE management ,BENEFIT performances ,GOAL (Psychology) ,ECOSYSTEM dynamics ,FOSTER children ,MARINE biodiversity - Abstract
Characterized by interlinked social, economic, and ecological dynamics, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are a management tool for achieving sustainability goals in social-ecological systems. The recent increase in their establishment worldwide, fostered by international policies, highlights the need for comprehensive and integrated assessment frameworks able to address the evaluation of their social-ecological effectiveness and management performance, which is of fundamental importance for their adaptive management and decision making processes. Although several indicators and methodologies exist to assess MPAs ecological or social performances, no comprehensive assessment framework currently captures their broad range of objectives, encompassing the ecological, socio-cultural, and economic spheres. In this study, we present a novel quantitative framework (named MPAs Overall Success Evaluation – MOSE) able to assess the overall effectiveness and management performance of MPAs under the perspective of social-ecological systems. The multicriteria framework includes indicators linked to nature conservation, socio-cultural, socio-economic, and management objectives, integrating the multidisciplinary knowledge on MPAs in a single but comprehensive approach. The proposed framework was applied to the case study of Cerbère-Banyuls Natural Marine Reserve (France), the first MPA included in the IUCN Green List. Results showed that a high level of management effort is applied to the investigated MPA, generating several social-ecological benefits. This study showed the applicability of the MOSE framework and its potential usefulness as a tool to inform managers and decision-makers in charge for developing adaptive management strategies. Image 1 • The MPAs Overall Success Evaluation (MOSE) framework is presented. • The framework is applied to the Cerbère-Banyuls Natural Marine Reserve (France). • Results show the MPA management effort and generated social-ecological benefits. • The framework represents a useful tool for adaptive management. • Future applications will target a wide variety of MPAs at different scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
32. Notes on the biocenoses of a polluted coastal area in southern Sicily: the gulf of Gela
- Author
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BADALAMENTI F, CHEMELLO R, GRISTINA M, RIGGIO S, TOCCACELI M., PIRAINO, Stefano, Badalamenti, F, Chemello, R, Gristina, M, Piraino, Stefano, Riggio, S, and Toccaceli, M.
- Abstract
ed. F Doumange
- Published
- 1988
33. How do non-indigenous species affect native species and habitats?
- Author
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Mancuso, F. P., Chemello, R., Mannino, A. M., Mancuso, F. P., Chemello, R., and Mannino, A. M.
- Subjects
Settore BIO/07 - Ecologia ,Settore BIO/02 - Botanica Sistematica ,Non-indigenous species, impact, native species, Mediterranean Sea, Sicily - Abstract
Biological invasions are a key driver of global change, affecting biodiversity and natural ecosystem functioning. Non-indigenous species (NIS) with significant established and expanding populations have the potential to become invasive, with serious environmental, socio-economic, and/or human health consequences. Mediterranean Islands (including Marine Protected Areas “MPAs”), important hotspots of biodiversity, are particularly vulnerable to NIS invasions. Understanding the effects of NIS species on biodiversity, as well as their current distribution and expansion trends, is therefore critical for creating effective conservation strategies. Here, we present three different case studies from Sicily (North-Western Mediterranean Sea) that highlight how NIS species interact with native species and the habitat where they settle. The first case study, carried out along the coast of Favignana Island (Egadi Islands MPA), highlights how the ability of Caulerpa cylindracea to form multi-layered mats trapping the sediment promotes the establishment of other NIS, including the biofouler worm Branchiomma bairdi. The second case study, performed along the North-Western coast of Sicily, shows how Halophila stipulacea can inhibit the growth of the co-occurring native seagrass Cymodocea nodosa. Finally, the third study case, undertaken along the coast of Favignana Island, highlights how the shift in habitat from the native Ericaria brachycarpa to the invasive Asparagopsis taxiformis may drastically erode primary producer biomass and associated biodiversity. Overall, our findings not only emphasize the negative effects of NIS on native habitats, but also confirm that MPA protection does not limit the introduction and spreading of NIS.
34. Are artificial reefs comparable to neighbouring natural rocky areas? A mollusc case study in the Gulf of Castellammare (NW Sicily).
- Author
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Badalamenti, F., Chemello, R., D'Anna, G., Ramos, P. Henriquez, and Riggio, S.
- Subjects
- *
ARTIFICIAL reefs , *REEFS , *MOLLUSKS , *ANIMAL species - Abstract
Mollusc assemblages of three concrete artificial reefs (ARs) in the Gulf of Castellammare were compared with those of two nearby natural reefs (NRs). The reefs were located in areas characterized by different degrees of water transparency, with average annual Secchi disk visibility ranging from clear (>20 m) to turbid waters (<6 m). In spring 1995, 28 samples of 400 cm2 were scraped off the reefs at depths of 16–22 m (20 from ARs; 8 from NRs), which yielded a total of 116 species and 1084 specimens of molluscs. The assemblage derived from a NR in clear water showed the highest diversity, species richness, and evenness, while the highest number of specimens and dominance values were observed at an AR in turbid water. The lowest values of diversity and species richness were found at ARs in turbid water and the lowest number of specimens at a NR in turbid water. Comparison of the five reefs showed significant differences in average number of species and in diversity values, while differences in the number of specimens were not significant. Factorial correspondence analysis showed a pattern that was strongly polarized along the first axis by the NR in clear water and by the AR in turbid water. The most distinctive feature was the dominance of Bittium latreillii at AR sites. Three years after deployment, mollusc assemblages of ARs in the Gulf remain entities that are distinct from those of nearby natural reefs. However, the potential of the assemblages in terms of density of individuals is comparable to that of natural reefs. Copyright 2002 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]
- Published
- 2002
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
35. Decreasing in patch-size of Cystoseira forests reduces the diversity of their associated molluscan assemblage in Mediterranean rocky reefs.
- Author
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Mancuso, F.P., Milazzo, M., and Chemello, R.
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CYSTOSEIRA , *FOREST biodiversity , *MARINE parks & reserves , *REEFS , *NUMBERS of species , *CERAMIALES , *ALGAE - Abstract
Canopy-forming seaweeds of the genus Cystoseira (Fucales, Phaeophyceae) form diverse and productive habitats along temperate rocky coasts of the Mediterranean Sea. During the last decade, Cystoseira forests have retracted their range considerably due to many interacting environmental, biological and anthropogenic pressures. We investigated how reducing in patch-size of C. montagnei affects their associated molluscan communities at the shallow northwest rocky shores of Palermo (Sicily, Italy). Molluscs were sampled from the fronds of individual thalli, clumps of 3 and 5 thalli of C. montagnei over an annual vegetative cycle (May–September) in two sites within the Marine Protected Area "Capo Gallo-Isola delle Femmine". We measured five substrate attributes of the alga (thallus volume, canopy volume, interstitial volume, algal surface, and biomass) and explored their relationships with the diversity of the associated molluscan assemblage. A total of 3756 individuals of molluscs were collected, belonging to 30 families and 57 species, being Rissoidae the most speciose family and Barleeidae the dominant in terms of abundance. The molluscan assemblage on C. montagnei displayed significant spatial and seasonal variations, with the maximum number of individuals and species in summer, whereas evenness and diversity displayed maximum values in spring. The abundance, species richness and diversity of the molluscan assemblage decreased with decreasing in patch-size of C. montagnei , regardless of the vegetative phase of the alga or the sites considered in the study, while evenness showed an opposite trend. The substrate attributes of C. montagnei changed over the vegetative cycle of the alga and showed a similar pattern across sites with values that tended to decrease in autumn during the quiescence phase of the alga. Variation in patch-size of C. montagnei affected also the substrate attributes of the individual alga, with individual thalli becoming smaller with increasing patch-size. The algal surface of a single thallus of C. montagnei ranged on average from 956 cm2 in spring to 289 cm2 in autumn. Furthermore, algal surface together with thallus volume and dry weight were the substrate attributes that explained better the variation of the number of molluscan individuals and species. Overall, our results suggest that the reduction of both patch-size and algal substrate of C. montagnei forests altered the structure and composition of its associated molluscan assemblage. We argue that a reduction or loss of Cystoseira forests could probably trigger bottom-up effects in rocky shores habitats, with consequences for the whole ecosystem structure, functioning and services provided to humans. Image 1 • Decrease in patch-size of Cystoseira reduces the diversity of associated molluscs. • Seasonal phenological changes of the algal contributed to the observed variation. • Molluscan abundance and diversity changed with variation in algal surface. • Algal surface of Cystoseira ranged from 956 cm2 in spring to 289 cm2 in autumn. • Structural features of Cystoseira decreased with increasing patch-size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
36. Biogenic habitat shifts under long-term ocean acidification show nonlinear community responses and unbalanced functions of associated invertebrates.
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Milazzo, M., Alessi, C., Quattrocchi, F., Chemello, R., D'Agostaro, R., Gil, J., Vaccaro, A.M., Mirto, S., Gristina, M., and Badalamenti, F.
- Abstract
Abstract Experiments have shown that increasing dissolved CO 2 concentrations (i.e. Ocean Acidification, OA) in marine ecosystems may act as nutrient for primary producers (e.g. fleshy algae) or a stressor for calcifying species (e.g., coralline algae, corals, molluscs). For the first time, rapid habitat dominance shifts and altered competitive replacement from a reef-forming to a non-reef-forming biogenic habitat were documented over one-year exposure to low pH/high CO 2 through a transplant experiment off Vulcano Island CO 2 seeps (NE Sicily, Italy). Ocean acidification decreased vermetid reefs complexity via a reduction in the reef-building species density, boosted canopy macroalgae and led to changes in composition, structure and functional diversity of the associated benthic assemblages. OA effects on invertebrate richness and abundance were nonlinear, being maximal at intermediate complexity levels of vermetid reefs and canopy forming algae. Abundance of higher order consumers (e.g. carnivores, suspension feeders) decreased under elevated CO 2 levels. Herbivores were non-linearly related to OA conditions, with increasing competitive release only of minor intertidal grazers (e.g. amphipods) under elevated CO 2 levels. Our results support the dual role of CO 2 (as a stressor and as a resource) in disrupting the state of rocky shore communities, and raise specific concerns about the future of intertidal reef ecosystem under increasing CO 2 emissions. We contribute to inform predictions of the complex and nonlinear community effects of OA on biogenic habitats, but at the same time encourage the use of multiple natural CO 2 gradients in providing quantitative data on changing community responses to long-term CO 2 exposure. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • Carbon dioxide (CO 2) may act as a stressor or a resource for marine ecosystems. • Vermetid reef communities were transplanted along CO 2 gradients for 1 year. • Rapid dominance shifts from a reef- to a non-reef-forming habitat were documented. • Community-level changes were nonlinear and the food web simplified under increasing CO 2. • CO 2 disrupts the state of intertidal communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
37. Towards a local mass mortality of the Mediterranean orange coral Astroides calycularis (Pallas, 1766) in the Pelagie Islands Marine Protected Area (Italy)
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Luca Bisanti, Eleonora Sabata, Giulia Visconti, Renato Chemello, Bisanti L., de Sabata E., Visconti G., and Chemello R.
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Ecology ,Aquatic Science ,coral mortality, GeoSwim project, marine benthos, Mediterranean Sea, water temperature ,Nature and Landscape Conservation - Abstract
In late summer 2020, a widespread mortality event severely affected colonies of the Mediterranean endemic orange coral Astroides calycularis in the Pelagie Islands (Strait of Sicily, southern Mediterranean Sea). The degree of the mortality impact at seven study sites of the archipelago (five within the Pelagie Islands Marine Protected Area) was quantified by estimating the proportion of affected colonies in populations of A.calycularis. Five of the seven surveyed sites revealed a low degree of impact, but Punta Ruperta and Cala Creta (both on the island of Lampedusa) showed a medium impact with values of 32.3% and 30.5% of affected colonies respectively. The 2020 mortality event coincided with a longer lasting and warmer anomalous summer period, with sea surface water reaching the highest temperatures recorded in the last decade across the archipelago. Given the alarming climatic predictions for the near future, new mortality events could occur, causing potentially new local extinctions in the Mediterranean Sea. In this context, the role of marine protected area management becomes crucial to detect mortality events of vulnerable species.
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- 2022
38. Integrating natural capital assessment and marine spatial planning: A case study in the Mediterranean sea.
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Picone, F., Buonocore, E., D’Agostaro, R., Donati, S., Chemello, R., and Franzese, P.P.
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OCEAN zoning , *SUSTAINABILITY , *NATURE conservation , *NATURAL capital , *SUSTAINABLE development - Abstract
Marine and coastal ecosystems are among the most productive environments in the world and their stocks of natural capital offer a bundle of vital ecosystem services. Anthropogenic pressure seriously threatens health and long-term sustainability of marine environments. For these reasons, integrated approaches capable of combining ecological and socio-economic aspects are needed to achieve nature conservation and sustainability targets. In this study, the value of natural capital of the Egadi Islands Marine Protected Area (EI-MPA) was assessed through a biophysical and trophodynamic environmental accounting model. The emergy value of both autotrophic and heterotrophic natural capital stocks was calculated for the main habitats of the EI-MPA. Eventually, the emergy value of natural capital was converted into monetary units to better communicate its importance to local managers and policy-makers. The total value of natural capital in the EI-MPA resulted in 1.12·10 21 sej, equivalent to about 1.17 billion of euros. In addition, using Marxan software, the results of the environmental accounting were integrated with spatial data on main human uses. This integration took into account the trade-offs between conservation measures and human exploitation by means of two different scenarios, with and without considering human uses in the EI-MPA. The comparison between the scenarios highlighted the importance of taking into account human activities in marine spatial planning (MSP), allowing the identification of key areas for natural capital conservation. In conclusion, this study showed the importance of integrating environmental accounting with conservation planning to support effective strategies for ecological protection and sustainable management of human activities. The results of this study represent a first benchmark useful to explore alternative nature conservation strategies in the EI-MPA, and, more in general, in Mediterranean MPAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
39. The invasive seaweed Asparagopsis taxiformis erodes the habitat structure and biodiversity of native algal forests in the Mediterranean Sea
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Renato Chemello, Luigi Musco, Marco Milazzo, Sabrina Lo Brutto, Riccardo D'Agostaro, F. Paolo Mancuso, Fabio Badalamenti, Barbara Mikac, Mancuso F.P., D'Agostaro R., Milazzo M., Badalamenti F., Musco L., Mikac B., Lo Brutto S., Chemello R., Paolo Mancuso, F., D'Agostaro, Riccardo, Milazzo, Marco, Badalamenti, Fabio, Musco, Luigi, Mikac, Barbara, Lo Brutto, Sabrina, and Chemello, Renato
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Marine protected area ,Biodiversity ,Aquatic Science ,Oceanography ,Rocky shore ,Epifauna diversity ,Cystoseira sensu lato ,Mediterranean Sea ,Marine ecosystem ,Habitat shift ,Sicily ,Ecosystem ,Alga ,Biomass (ecology) ,biology ,Primary producers ,Ecology ,Ericaria brachycarpa ,General Medicine ,Eutrophication ,Seaweed ,biology.organism_classification ,Pollution ,Geography ,Habitat ,Asparagopsis taxiformis ,Species richness - Abstract
Invasive seaweeds are listed among the most relevant threats to marine ecosystems worldwide. Biodiversity hotspots, such as the Mediterranean Sea, are facing multiple invasions and are expected to be severely affected by the introduction of new non-native seaweeds in the near future. In this study, we evaluated the consequences of the shift from the native Ericaria brachycarpa to the invasive Asparagopsis taxiformis habitat on the shallow rocky shores of Favignana Island (Egadi Islands, MPA, Sicily, Italy). We compared algal biomass and species composition and structure of the associated epifaunal assemblages in homogenous and mixed stands of E. brachycarpa and A. taxiformis. The results showed that the biomass of primary producers is reduced by 90% in the A. taxiformis invaded habitat compared to the E. brachycarpa native habitat. The structure of the epifaunal assemblages displayed significant variations among homogenous and mixed stands. The abundance, species richness and Shannon-Wiener diversity index of the epifaunal assemblages decreased by 89%, 78% and 40%, respectively, from homogenous stands of the native E. brachycarpa to the invasive A. taxiformis. Seaweed biomass was the structural attribute better explaining the variation in epifaunal abundance, species richness and diversity. Overall, our results suggest that the shift from E. brachycarpa to A. taxiformis habitat would drastically erode the biomass of primary producers and the associated biodiversity. We hypothesize that a complete shift from native to invasive seaweeds could ultimately lead to bottom-up effects on rocky shore habitats, with negative consequences for the ecosystem structure, functioning, and the services provided.
- Published
- 2022
40. Exploring the development of scientific research on Marine Protected Areas: From conservation to global ocean sustainability
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Pier Paolo Franzese, Renato Chemello, Giovanni Fulvio Russo, Flavio Picone, Elvira Buonocore, Picone, F., Buonocore, E., Chemello, R., Russo, G.F., and Franzese, P.P.
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,Settore BIO/07 - Ecologia ,Sociology of scientific knowledge ,Social-ecological system ,CiteSpace software ,Sustainability studies ,Scientific literature ,Bibliometrics ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,Bibliometric analysis ,Nature conservation ,Environmental planning ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,Citation burst analysis ,Ecology ,Human Dimension ,Social-ecological systems ,010604 marine biology & hydrobiology ,Applied Mathematics ,Ecological Modeling ,Marine spatial planning ,Computer Science Applications ,Geography ,Computational Theory and Mathematics ,Modeling and Simulation ,Sustainability ,VOSviewer software ,Marine protected area ,Bibliometric analysi - Abstract
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are playing a central role in the achievement of ocean sustainability and, since 2000, their global coverage has increased over ten times. The success of MPAs, and therefore the delivery of their potential outcomes for human well-being and global sustainability, requires multi-disciplinary, holistic, and comprehensive approaches for its achievement. In this study, the global scientific literature on MPAs was quantitatively reviewed through bibliometrics approaches, investigating patterns and trends in its development over time. In particular, bibliometric network and citation burst analyses of keywords were performed using VOSviewer and CiteSpace software. The bibliographic search on the Scopus and Web of Science databases resulted in a total number of 5908 and 6036 scientific documents published on MPAs. The network analysis of the keywords co-occurrence produced four main clusters whose connections and overlapping showed a multidisciplinary structure of MPA science, in which the ecological, social, and economic domains of research are strongly interlinked. Temporal analyses showed a recent focus on topics related to the social-ecological systems theory (e.g., ecosystem services, marine spatial planning, governance, and small-scale fisheries) suggesting that newer research lines recognize the importance of integrating the “human dimension” in conservation and sustainability studies. Overall, the results of both the performed bibliometric analyses pointed out the evolution of MPA science from the conventional concept of “marine reserves” to a broader scope integrating ecological, economic, and social aspects. In conclusion, MPA research is timely responding to the identification of MPAs as ocean sustainability tools, opening MPA science to multi-disciplinary research lines by linking the ecological and socio-economic dimensions of sustainability. MPA research is expected to play a crucial role in generating the interdisciplinary scientific knowledge needed to fully contribute to global ocean sustainability and human well-being.
- Published
- 2021
41. Unmanned aerial vehicle technology to assess the state of threatened biogenic formations: The vermetid reefs of mediterranean intertidal rocky coasts
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Luigia Donnarumma, Renato Chemello, Giovanni Fulvio Russo, Roberto Sandulli, Antonio D'Argenio, Donnarumma L., D'Argenio A., Sandulli R., Russo G.F., and Chemello R.
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Settore BIO/07 - Ecologia ,geography ,RPAS ,geography.geographical_feature_category ,Dendropoma cristatum, Hydrodynamic regime, Mediterranean sea, Remote sensing, RPAS, UAV, Vermetid molluscs ,UAV ,Vermetid molluscs ,Intertidal zone ,Aquatic Science ,Remote sensing ,Dendropoma cristatum ,Oceanography ,Ecosystem engineer ,Structural complexity ,Hydrodynamic regime ,Rocky shore ,Mediterranean sea ,Spatial ecology ,Littoral zone ,Remote sensing, RPAS, UAV, Vermetid molluscs, Dendropoma cristatum, Hydrodynamic regime, Mediterranean sea ,Reef ,Geology - Abstract
Vermetid bioconstructions are biogenic formations, built by sessile gastropod molluscs belonging to the family Vermetidae worldwide distributed, occurring in the intertidal and upper subtidal in the rocky shores. In the Mediterranean basin, they occur in complex and tridimensional structures that enhance the local biodiversity, allowing to qualify the structuring species as ecosystem engineers. Due to their ecological relevance and considerable extension along the coasts, we assessed their structural complexity using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, as tool of littoral cartography analysis of these bioconstructions, and plaster hemispheres dissolution as a descriptor index of the water movement on them. We adopted an UAV to produce a very high spatial resolution map along 830m of rocky coast where these vermetid gastropods occur. Through an orthophoto with a GSD (Ground Sample Distance) of 1 cm, different complexity values of indentation degree (or roughness profiles) of the reef boundaries were detected, corroborating literature data carried out with traditional measurement techniques (e.g., tape measure). Our results indicate that the most complex zone of reef is the outer edge, facing the open sea, with a decreasing trend toward the inner edge. Concerning the experimental approach conducted using plaster hemispheres placed along the platform, it reveals that water movement is a structuring factor of the vermetid reef complexity along the rocky coast. Overall, the application of UAV technique allows an appropriate approach to analyze different zones of the vermetid reefs with a high-accuracy on a large spatial scale, greatly reducing sampling effort, and generating important implications for future monitoring and conservation programs.
- Published
- 2021
42. Marine protected areas overall success evaluation (MOSE): A novel integrated framework for assessing management performance and social-ecological benefits of MPAs
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Flavio Picone, Elvira Buonocore, Renato Chemello, Joachim Claudet, Giovanni Fulvio Russo, Pier Paolo Franzese, Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare [Rome, Italie] (CoNISma), Centre de recherches insulaires et observatoire de l'environnement (CRIOBE), Université de Perpignan Via Domitia (UPVD)-École pratique des hautes études (EPHE), Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Department of Earth and Marine Sciences [Palermo], Università degli studi di Palermo - University of Palermo, Picone F., Buonocore E., Claudet J., Chemello R., Russo G.F., and Franzese P.P.
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,Settore BIO/07 - Ecologia ,Management performance, Marine protected areas, Multicriteria assessment framework, Reserve effectiveness, Social-ecological systems ,010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences ,Computer science ,Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law ,Aquatic Science ,Oceanography ,01 natural sciences ,Reserve effectiveness ,Management tool ,Multidisciplinary approach ,Marine protected areas ,14. Life underwater ,Multicriteria assessment framework ,Management performance ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,Social-ecological systems ,Ecology ,010604 marine biology & hydrobiology ,Marine reserve ,15. Life on land ,Adaptive management ,13. Climate action ,Nature Conservation ,Sustainability ,[SDE]Environmental Sciences ,Marine protected area ,[SDE.BE]Environmental Sciences/Biodiversity and Ecology ,Management by objectives - Abstract
International audience; Characterized by interlinked social, economic, and ecological dynamics, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are a management tool for achieving sustainability goals in social-ecological systems. The recent increase in their establishment worldwide, fostered by international policies, highlights the need for comprehensive and integrated assessment frameworks able to address the evaluation of their social-ecological effectiveness and management performance, which is of fundamental importance for their adaptive management and decision making processes. Although several indicators and methodologies exist to assess MPAs ecological or social performances, no comprehensive assessment framework currently captures their broad range of objectives, encompassing the ecological, socio-cultural, and economic spheres. In this study, we present a novel quantitative framework (named MPAs Overall Success Evaluation – MOSE) able to assess the overall effectiveness and management performance of MPAs under the perspective of social-ecological systems. The multicriteria framework includes indicators linked to nature conservation, socio-cultural, socio-economic, and management objectives, integrating the multidisciplinary knowledge on MPAs in a single but comprehensive approach. The proposed framework was applied to the case study of Cerbère-Banyuls Natural Marine Reserve (France), the first MPA included in the IUCN Green List. Results showed that a high level of management effort is applied to the investigated MPA, generating several social-ecological benefits. This study showed the applicability of the MOSE framework and its potential usefulness as a tool to inform managers and decision-makers in charge for developing adaptive management strategies.
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- 2020
43. Biogenic habitat shifts under long-term ocean acidification show nonlinear community responses and unbalanced functions of associated invertebrates
- Author
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Michele Gristina, João Gil, Riccardo D'Agostaro, Antonino Vaccaro, Simone Mirto, Cinzia Alessi, Fabio Badalamenti, Marco Milazzo, Renato Chemello, Federico Quattrocchi, Milazzo M., Alessi C., Quattrocchi F., Chemello R., D'Agostaro R., Gil J., Vaccaro A.M., Mirto S., Gristina M., and Badalamenti F.
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CO2 vents ,Environmental Engineering ,010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences ,Oceans and Seas ,Oceans and Sea ,Snails ,Intertidal zone ,010501 environmental sciences ,Environments ,Transplant ,01 natural sciences ,Models, Biological ,Nonlinear Dynamic ,Rocky shore ,Mediterranean Sea ,Animals ,Environmental Chemistry ,Marine ecosystem ,Ecosystem ,Seawater ,Invertebrate ,Phase shift ,Waste Management and Disposal ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,Sea ,biology ,Ecology ,Animal ,Ocean acidification ,Coralline algae ,Biodiversity ,Carbon Dioxide ,biology.organism_classification ,Invertebrates ,Pollution ,Nonlinear Dynamics ,Carbon dioxide ,Italy ,Snail ,Benthic zone ,Impacts ,Reefs ,Environmental science ,Species richness ,Coral ,Co2 vents ,Vermetid reef - Abstract
Este artículo contiene 8 páginas, 4 figuras., Experiments have shown that increasing dissolved CO2 concentrations (i.e. Ocean Acidification, OA) in marine ecosystems may act as nutrient for primary producers (e.g. fleshy algae) or a stressor for calcifying species (e.g., coralline algae, corals, molluscs). For the first time, rapid habitat dominance shifts and altered competitive replacement from a reef-forming to a non-reef-forming biogenic habitat were documented over one-year exposure to low pH/high CO2 through a transplant experiment off Vulcano Island CO2 seeps (NE Sicily, Italy). Ocean acidification decreased vermetid reefs complexity via a reduction in the reef-building species density, boosted canopy macroalgae and led to changes in composition, structure and functional diversity of the associated benthic assemblages. OA effects on invertebrate richness and abundance were nonlinear, being maximal at intermediate complexity levels of vermetid reefs and canopy forming algae. Abundance of higher order consumers (e.g. carnivores, suspension feeders) decreased under elevated CO2 levels. Herbivores were non-linearly related to OA conditions, with increasing competitive release only of minor intertidal grazers (e.g. amphipods) under elevated CO2 levels. Our results support the dual role of CO2 (as a stressor and as a resource) in disrupting the state of rocky shore communities, and raise specific concerns about the future of intertidal reef ecosystem under increasing CO2 emissions. We contribute to inform predictions of the complex and nonlinear community effects of OA on biogenic habitats, but at the sametime encourage the use ofmultiple natural CO2 gradients in providing quantitative data on changing community responses to long-term CO2 exposure., This work contributes to the University of Palermo FFR-A project and the EU-FP7 MedSeA project (grant agreement no. 265103) to M.M.
- Published
- 2019
44. Meiofauna associated with vermetid reefs: the role of macroalgae in increasing habitat size and complexity
- Author
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Simone Mirto, Francesca Ape, M. Gristina, Gianluca Sarà, Renato Chemello, Ape F., Gristina M., Chemello R., Sara G., and Mirto S.
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,Biogenic construction ,Biomass (ecology) ,geography ,geography.geographical_feature_category ,biology ,Ecology ,010604 marine biology & hydrobiology ,Meiobenthos ,Meiofaunal community ,Intertidal zone ,Aquatic Science ,Cystoseira ,biology.organism_classification ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,Habitat complexity ,Habitat ,Benthic zone ,Abundance (ecology) ,Environmental science ,Mediterranean intertidal habitat ,Reef - Abstract
We present the first dataset of meiofauna associated with vermetid reefs (biogenic constructions of Mediterranean intertidal habitat) in two areas along the northern coast of Sicily, Italy. The vermetid reefs are characterized by a horizontal extension from the shore towards the open sea and can be divided into three zones (the inner margin, the cuvette zone and the outer margin) which differ in hydrodynamic features. We studied the spatial distribution of meiofauna along the horizontal axis of the vermetid reefs, investigating the communities inhabiting the sediment inside cuvettes (shallow pools inside the “cuvette zone”) located between the inner and the outer margins of the reefs. We observed an increase in meiofaunal abundance from the inner to the outer part of the reef (from 1808 ± 80 to 2992 ± 512 ind. 100cm−2) in both areas. Moreover, we studied meiofaunal communities associated with the most abundant macroalgae (Cystoseira sp., Jania rubens, Palisada perforata, Dictyota sp. and Padina pavonica) living on the reefs, investigating the influence of habitat size (biomass) and identity (complexity) of macroalgae. We found that meiofauna varied in abundance (from 446 ± 51 to 1758 ± 231 ind. 100cm−2 on P. perforata and Cystoseira sp., respectively), on different macroalgae, and that the habitat size significantly influenced these abundances, but its effect was dependent on macroalgal identity. In fact, we observed a positive correlation between meiofaunal abundance and algal complexity (fractal dimension). The high algal cover in the “cuvette zone” of the reefs could contribute to make this zone more suitable for meiofauna, in particular close to the outer margin where we found more complex macroalgae (i.e. Cystoseira sp.). These results confirm that vermetid reefs, with their structural complexity, may play an important role in structuring benthic fauna in intertidal habitats.
- Published
- 2018
45. Biological diversity of the microbial film associated to the central-Mediterranean Dendropoma cristatum (Biondi, 1859) reefs
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La Marca, Emanuela Claudia, CATANIA, Valentina, TAGLIAVIA, Marcello, SARDINA, Maria Teresa, DI GERLANDO, Rosalia, MILAZZO, Marco, CHEMELLO, Renato, QUATRINI, Paola, La Marca, EC, Catania, V, Tagliavia, M, Sardina, MT, Di Gerlando, R, Milazzo, M, Chemello, R, and Quatrini, P
- Subjects
Microbial films, Dendropoma cristatum reefs, Ribosomal Intergenic Spacer Analysis (ARISA) - Abstract
Microbial films may provide physical and bio-chemical cues which positively affect the settlement dynamic of a variety of benthic marine organisms, driving the development of ecosystems. Also for the Mediterranean intertidal reef-builder Dendropoma cristatum (Biondi, 1859), biofilm maturity has been found to enhance the settlement pattern. However, the microbial diversity associated with these bioconstructions has never been described. This study investigates the D. cristatum reef bacterial assemblage composition and temporal evolution in two localities in the northwest of Sicily. Biological diversity of the reef-associated biofilm and of 3 progressively older biofims obtained on artificial surfaces exposed in the field was described by Automated Ribosomal Intergenic Spacer Analysis (ARISA). Out of 55 detected OTUs, only 6 were shared between the 2 localities. Hierarchical grouping of taxa abundance showed two major groups that separated the 2 localities. Within each group, reef-associated and experimentally obtained biofilms formed individual clades. SSU-rRNA NGS sequencing of the reef-associated biofilm is in progress. These data highlight high variability in biofilm composition at local scale and between development stages, possibly responsible for the progressive increase of settlement of the Mediterranean biogenic engineer Dendropoma cristatum.
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- 2017
46. Substratum recognition as settlement cue for larvae of Dendropoma cristatum (Biondi, 1859)
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La Marca, Emanuela Claudia, FRANZITTA, Giulio, Capruzzi, E., MILAZZO, Marco, CHEMELLO, Renato, La Marca, E. C., Franzitta, G., Capruzzi, E., Milazzo, M., and Chemello, R.
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larval settlement, habitat selection, substratum preferences, reef formation. Introduction ,Settore BIO/07 - Ecologia - Abstract
Despite the ecological relevance of the vermetid bioconstructions in the Mediterranean, little is known about the early life stage of Dendropoma cristatum. This study describes the preference for settlement substrata from D. cristatumlarvae. A field experiment was carried out to test the suitability of crustose coralline algae (CCA), D. cristatumadults and two inorganic substrata as settlement surfaces. The number of settling larvae varied among the four treatments with higher settlement success on organic surfaces. CCA and D. cristatumindividuals seem to promote attachment of young larvae and to induce the metamorphosis in recruits. This is probably due to biological or physical properties of the preferred substrata which result essential for the early development of the vermetid bioconstruction.
- Published
- 2017
47. European Red List of Habitats: Part 1. Marine habitats
- Author
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S. Gubbay, N. Sanders, T. Haynes, J. A. M. Janssen, J. R. Rodwell, A. Nieto, M. García Criado, S. Beal, J. Borg, M. Kennedy, D. Micu, M. Otero, G. Saunders and M. Calix, L. Airoldi, V. V. Alexandrov, E. Alcázar, J. de Andalucia, L. Babbini, T. Bakran-Petricioli, E. Ballesteros, E. Bañares España, M. Bariche, E. Bastos, D. Basso, L. Bat, C. Battelli, H. Bazairi, C. N. Bianchi, G. Bitar, M. Bo, P. Brazier, L. Bush, S. Canese, S. P. Catrense, M. E. Cefalì, C. Cerrano, R. Chemello, E. B. Chernysheva, D. Connor, R. Cook, N. Dankers, A. Darr, A. R. Davis, N. Dolenc-Orbanić, S. Dubois, F. Espino, A. Flores Moya, J. Ford, M. Foulquie, S. Fowler, M. Fourt, S. Fraschetti, I. Fuller, K. Fürhaupter, B. Galil, V. Gerovasileiou, A. Giangrande, C. Giuseppe, P. Goriup, J. Grall, M. F. Gravina, A. Guelmami, A. Güreşen, L. Hadjioannou, J. M. Haldin, J. Hall-Spencer, J. G. Harmelin, R. Haroun-Tabrae, D. Harries, K. Herkül, T. Hetman, K. Hiscock, S. Hiscock, R. Holt, Y. Issaris, E. Jackson, A. Jeudy, C. Jimenez, C. Karamita, A. Karlsson, D. Kersting, E. Keskinen, F. Klinge, L. Klissurov, L. Knittweis-Mifsud, V. Kopiy, D. Korolesova, P. Kružić, G. Komakhidze, B. La Porta, J. Leinikki, P. Lehtonen, C. Linares, L. Lipej, V. Mačić, L. Mangialajo, S. Mariani, C. Melih, R. Metalpa, E. Mielke, V. Mihneva, N. Milchakova, K. Milonakis, C. Minguell, N. V. Mironova, J. Näslund, C. Numa, J. Nyström, O. Ocaña, N. F. Otero, V. Peña Freire, C. Pergent, S. Perkol-Finkel, A. Pibot, S. Pinedo, D. Poursanidis, A. Ramos, N. K. Revkov, J-T. Roininen, A. Rosso, J. Ruiz, M. Salomidi, P. Schembri, T. Shiganov, N. Simboura, M. Sini, C. Smith, A. Soldo, P. Somerfield, J. Templado, A. Terentyev, T. Thibaut, N. E. Topçu, C. Trigg, R. Turk, H. Tyler-Walters, L. Tunesi, K. Vera, M. Viera, J. Warzocha, S. Wells, M. Westerbom, S. Wikström, C. Wood, B. Yokes and H. Zibrowius. John Rodwell Susan Gubbay, Gubbay, S., Sanders, N., Haynes, T., Janssen, J. A. M., Rodwell, J. R., Nieto, A., García Criado, M., Beal, S., Borg, J., Kennedy, M., Micu, D., Otero, M., Calix, G. Saunders and M., Airoldi, L., Alexandrov, V. V., Alcázar, E., de Andalucia, J., Babbini, L., Bakran-Petricioli, T., Ballesteros, E., Bañares España, E., Bariche, M., Bastos, E., Basso, D., Bat, L., Battelli, C., Bazairi, H., Bianchi, C. N., Bitar, G., Bo, M., Brazier, P., Bush, L., Canese, S., Catrense, S. P., Cefalì, M. E., Cerrano, C., Chemello, R., Chernysheva, E. B., Connor, D., Cook, R., Dankers, N., Darr, A., Davis, A. R., Dolenc-Orbanić, N., Dubois, S., Espino, F., Flores Moya, A., Ford, J., Foulquie, M., Fowler, S., Fourt, M., Fraschetti, S., Fuller, I., Fürhaupter, K., Galil, B., Gerovasileiou, V., Giangrande, A., Giuseppe, C., Goriup, P., Grall, J., Gravina, M. F., Guelmami, A., Güreşen, A., Hadjioannou, L., Haldin, J. M., Hall-Spencer, J., Harmelin, J. G., Haroun-Tabrae, R., Harries, D., Herkül, K., Hetman, T., Hiscock, K., Hiscock, S., Holt, R., Issaris, Y., Jackson, E., Jeudy, A., Jimenez, C., Karamita, C., Karlsson, A., Kersting, D., Keskinen, E., Klinge, F., Klissurov, L., Knittweis-Mifsud, L., Kopiy, V., Korolesova, D., Kružić, P., Komakhidze, G., La Porta, B., Leinikki, J., Lehtonen, P., Linares, C., Lipej, L., Mačić, V., Mangialajo, L., Mariani, S., Melih, C., Metalpa, R., Mielke, E., Mihneva, V., Milchakova, N., Milonakis, K., Minguell, C., Mironova, N. V., Näslund, J., Numa, C., Nyström, J., Ocaña, O., Otero, N. F., Peña Freire, V., Pergent, C., Perkol-Finkel, S., Pibot, A., Pinedo, S., Poursanidis, D., Ramos, A., Revkov, N. K., Roininen, J-T., Rosso, A., Ruiz, J., Salomidi, M., Schembri, P., Shiganov, T., Simboura, N., Sini, M., Smith, C., Soldo, A., Somerfield, P., Templado, J., Terentyev, A., Thibaut, T., Topçu, N. E., Trigg, C., Turk, R., Tyler-Walters, H., Tunesi, L., Vera, K., Viera, M., Warzocha, J., Wells, S., Westerbom, M., Wikström, S., Wood, C., and John Rodwell Susan Gubbay, B. Yokes and H. Zibrowius.
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- 2016
48. The Mediterranean vermetid reefs: distribution and conservation status
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CHEMELLO, Renato, La Marca, Emanuela Claudia, MILAZZO, Marco, Franzitta, G., Chemello, R., Franzitta, G., La Marca, E.C., and Milazzo, M.
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Dendropoma petraeum, Dendropoma anguliferum, Dendropoma cristatum, Dendropoma lebeche - Abstract
The vermetid reef is an intertidal bioconstruction distributed in the warmest waters of the Mediterranean Sea, and is built by the gregarious vermetid gastropodDendropomaspp. cemented by the coralline red algae of the genusNeogoniolithon.Thisbiogenichabitatisonly generically protected under the European Habitat Directive, but to date it is not explicitly taken into account in many conservation plans. Despite the documented local extinction of Dendropomain the some Eastern Mediterranean locations, its role as habitat engineer and the high numbers of ecosystem services provided, vermetid reef is among the least known marine bioconstruction of the Mediterranean. We counted 112 reefs along the Mediterranean coast, 44 of which are located in the Eastern basin and rest in the Western sector. Among them 44% are theoretically protected, while 56% do not benefit from any form of protection. Excluding Sites of Community Importance, existing only in European Countries, only 32 reefs (28.5%) are included within a MPA or a coastal reserve. No protection at all is ensured in Algeria, Cyprus and Libya, while less than 50% of the reefs are protected in Italy, Malta, Spain, Morocco and Syria, and less than 20% is protected in Lebanon, Tunisia and Turkey. Our analyses suggest the need to enlarge action plans to provide a true protection for the vermetid reef and to develop a conservation strategy at a basin scale,implementing the monitoring of this neglected but ecologically relevant coastal key habitat.
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- 2016
49. Implication of the biofilm ageing for the settlement of the vermetid gastropod Dendropoma cristatum (Biondi 1857)
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La Marca, Emanuela Claudia, MILAZZO, Marco, QUATRINI, Paola, CATANIA, Valentina, Lopresti, Francesco, SCAFFARO, Roberto, CHEMELLO, Renato, La Marca, E.C., Milazzo, M., Quatrini, P., Catania, V., Lopresti, F., Scaffaro, R., and Chemello, R
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Biogenic reef, Vermetidae, Benthic larvae, Settlement, Microbial film, Mediterranean Sea - Abstract
Dendropoma cristatumreefs are key-intertidal habitats of the central Mediterranean. Knowledge onD. cristatumbiology is presently scant, particularly on its early life stage. The development of embryos occurs inside the maternal shell, and the crawling larvae settle on hard substrates shortly after hatching. Epilithic biofilm is known to have implications in the settlement of many marine invertebrates; however whether biofilm plays a role in driving the vermetid settlement is unknown. In this study the microbial assemblage ageing is tested as apotentialtriggerforD. cristatumsettlement. A field experiment was set-up to compare the larval settlement rate on removable limestone cubes (5x5x2 cm), covered by a 28-, 32-and 40-days old vs. a 4-days old biofilm. Limestone showed physical properties suitable forD. cristatumsettlement. Cubes were fixed in equal number along the seaward edge of two reefs (NW Sicily) and the vermetid recruits attached within a 20-day period were counted. Overall, 709 recruits were recorded on the cubes, 76.4% of which settling on 28-40 days and the rest on 4-d biofilmed cubes. The number of settlers on 28- and 32-d cubes was 6-7 fold higher than those of 4-d, and doubled (i.e. 14-fold) in 40-d. SEM observations revealed the higher biological complexity of the older biofilm, rich in diatoms and cyanobacteria embedded in a mucal web. Our findings suggest a key-role of biofilm ageing in the settlement preference ofD. cristatumlarvae. Molecular analyses are underway to identify microorganisms and metabolites potentially facilitatingD. cristatumsettlement.
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- 2016
50. REMOTELY PILOTED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (RPAS) APPLICATION FOR STRUCTURE DESCRIPTION OF MEDITERRANEAN VERMETID REEFS
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La Marca, Emanuela Claudia, CHEMELLO, Renato, D’Argenio, A., Fazio, C., La Marca E.C., D’Argenio, A., Fazio, C., and Chemello R.
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habitat mapping ,substratum complexity ,geomorphology ,drone ,Vermetid reef - Abstract
Vermetid gastropods are coastal habitat engineers which build biogenic platforms typical of intertidal rocky shores of central and south -east of the Mediterranean. These bioconstructions create a secondary habitat which increases resource availability and space for organisms, locally transforming the environment and modifying coastal geomorphology. Biological characteristics and physical structure of these bioconstructions are commonly studied by field-based sampling. Nevertheless, a lot of time is required to collect data over large areas of reef, field conditions can impair data collection and direct reef image interpretation may be a challenge due to their intertidal position. In this study, a small RPAS is used to describe the macrostructure of two vermetid reefs in different areas: Capo Gallo (NW Sicily) and Favignana Island (W Sicily). 800 m of each reef have been surveyed by using high-resolution aerial orthophotomosaics (2cm/px). Detailed 3D maps have been realized for both reefs and the following measures of ecological relevance have been estimated: external rim length, internal rim length, surface of external rim (mq), cuvette surface (mq) and reef surface (mq). Index of external rim development and Index of internal rim development have been calculated as a relationship between a standardized linear length and the length of the external and internal rim respectively. Total area for Capo Gallo reef is 2563,26 mq; indexes of external and internal rim development are respectively 3,40 and 1,90. For Favignana, reef area is 1263,15 mq and indexes of external and internal rim development are respectively 2,56 and 1,80. These results reveal RPAS as a powerful tool for physical description of vermetid reefs and to calculate how this biogenic habitat shapes the coast and increases habitat complexity on rocky shores. This study, moreover, shows the high potential for RPAS technique to be applied for mapping vermetid reefs and to aid the management and conservation of natural systems, as required by the EU Strategy on Biodiversity which declares the necessity of mapping habitats and the ecosystem services they provide.
- Published
- 2016
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