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Biodiversitat i estructura de la comunitat íctica litoral del substrat rocós del Parc Natural de serra Gelada (sud-oest del mar Mediterrani) Aquest estudi analitza la comunitat íctica litoral sobre substrat rocós del Parc Natural de serra Gelada (Alacant) i s’aporten dades de base que permetran avaluar a llarg termini els canvis deguts a diverses mesures de gestió. Es van fer censos visuals en transsectes lineals sobre fons rocosos entre 1 i 32 m de profunditat. A les set localitats estudiades es van comptar 44 espècies. El nombre d’espècies, l’abundància, la biomassa i l’estructura de talles van ser similars entre les zones amb alta i baixa protecció. La composició d’espècies observada va ser similar a les d’altres àrees marines protegides del Mediterrani occidental. Les diferències entre localitats podrien ser causades per l’alta heterogeneïtat i complexitat de l’hàbitat a petita escala.

The effectiveness of marine protected areas (MPAs) and the conservation of marine environments must be based on reliable information on the quality of the marine environment that can be obtained in a reasonable timeframe. We reviewed studies that evaluated all aspects related to the effectiveness of MPAs in order to describe how the studies were conducted and to detect fields in which research is lacking. Existing parameters used to evaluate the effectiveness of MPAs are summarised. Two–hundred and twenty–two publications were reviewed. We identified the most commonly used study subjects and methodological approaches. Most of the studies concentrated on biological parameters. Peer reviewed studies were based on control vs. impact design. BACI and mBACI designs were used in very few studies. Through this review, we have identified gaps in the objectives assigned to MPAs and the way in which they have been evaluated. We suggest some guidelines aimed at improving the assessment of the effects of protection in MPAs. Key words: Marine conservation, Management, Assessment, Descriptors, Subject of study, Marine protected areas.

Benthic soft–bottom assemblages are good indicators of environmental disturbance, such as coastal aquaculture, considering their rapid response in terms of diversity and abundance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the response of peracarid assemblages to the release of waste from coastal farming as these organisms play an important ecological role. Abundance and species richness did not show significant differences between farm and control localities but did show a high spatial variability at the two studied scales. Non–metric multi–dimensional scaling (MDS) analysis showed a separation between farms and controls, indicating that peracarid assemblages are modified as a result of aquaculture activities, and some species such as Ampelisca spp. showed statistical differences. Peracarids, at both species and community level, may therefore be applied as helpful indicators to assess benthic effects of coastal farming. Key words: Benthos, Aquaculture, Impact, Indicators, Management, Sustainability.

The effectiveness of marine protected areas (MPAs) and the conservation of marine environments must be based on reliable information on the quality of the marine environment that can be obtained in a reasonable timeframe. We reviewed studies that evaluated all aspects related to the effectiveness of MPAs in order to describe how the studies were conducted and to detect fields in which research is lacking. Existing parameters used to evaluate the effectiveness of MPAs are summarised. Two-hundred and twenty-two publications were reviewed. We identified the most commonly used study subjects and methodological approaches. Most of the studies concentrated on biological parameters. Peer reviewed studies were based on control vs. impact design. BACI and mBACI designs were used in very few studies. Through this review, we have identified gaps in the objectives assigned to MPAs and the way in which they have been evaluated. We suggest some guidelines aimedat improving the assessment of the effects of protection in MPAs.

The SIEBM (Iberian Symposium of Studies on Marine Biology) has a long tradition. The conference was first convened in 1979 and it has since been held approximately biannually. It was originally focused on marine benthos, but two editions ago it was decided to widen its objectives to include other related subjects. The 15th edition was held at the University of Alicante from 6th to 10th September 2010.

In the present study the fish assemblages in the rocky-bottom habitat of the Sierra Helada Natural Park (Alicante, Spain) were recorded to provide data for future evaluation of any changes induced by long-term management. Visual censuses were carried out along strip transects by Scuba diving on rocky bottoms at depths between 1 and 32 m. In the seven localities sampled, 44 species were recorded. Number of species, abundance, biomass and size structure values recorded did not show differences between high and low protection areas. Species composition was similar to other marine protected areas of the western-Mediterranean. The main differences found between localities can be attributed to the high heterogeneity and complexity of the habitat at smaller spatial scales.

The SIEBM (Iberian Symposium of Studies on Marine Biology) has a long tradition. The conference was first convened in 1979 and it has since been held approximately biannually. It was originally focused on marine benthos, but two editions ago it was decided to widen its objectives to include other related subjects. The 15th edition was held at the University of Alicante from 6th to 10th September 2010. One of the strong points of SIEBM is that it provides the opportunity for interaction between well–known researchers and young marine scientists, mainly from Spain and Portugal. In the 2010 edition, however, it was attended by 268 participants from 15 countries. SIEBM 2010 focused on the human impact on marine ecosystems and the conservation of marine biodiversity to coincide with the United Nations declaring 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity. From a total number of 330 communications received, the Scientific Committee selected 70 for oral presentations and the rest were presented as posters. Each day a plenary conference covered what we considered as the fastest growing areas in marine biology: landscape ecology. The impact of global warming on marine ecosystems, approaches to fisheries management and the study and conservation of deep ecosystems. The oral presentations were divided into 15 sessions that included both basic research on biodiversity, phylogeny or marine ecology, and applied research in management, fisheries, conservation and the human impact on marine ecosystems. Abstracts, posters and presentations are available at http://www.siebm.org. The studies included in this volume show the variety of subjects and approaches addressed during the conference. These papers were selected and edited by a group of referees and we wish to thank them for their efforts and conscientious work. A list of their names is included. Of the 28 studies received, 13 were finally accepted for this volume. We also would like to thank all the people who helped in one way or another to make the 15th SIEBM Conference and the proceedings such a success. We thank the Scientific Committee for revising the abstracts and selecting the oral presentations. Most members of this committee also chaired sessions and undertook this task with commitment and dedication. The planning, logistics and running of the conference were made possible thanks to the enthusiasm of the organising committee and a group of student helpers. We are profoundly indebted to Carlos Valle and Aitor Forcada for their invaluable contribution to the organisation. Finally, we thank all the sponsors who contributed to the meeting, and especially the Fundación Biodiversidad and the Natural History Museum of Barcelona for their support in publishing this special issue of Animal Biodiversity and Conservation.