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The effectiveness of a Marine Protected Area (MPA) is strongly related to its zoning design, management, and surveillance, and fish communities are considered indicators of conservation effects. Posidonia oceanica beds and fish assemblages were studied here to evaluate the fishing impacts and the effectiveness of the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) of Santa Maria di Castellabate (SMC) and Costa degli Infreschi e della Masseta (CIM) in the South Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy. P. oceanica characteristics were estimated counting and collecting shoots, while fish communities were investigated by visual census. Multivariate analyses were performed to detect differences in fish assemblages among the MPA protection levels and seagrass characteristics. Significant differences in fish communities were observed between the depth and protection levels. The latter are probably due to the zoning design at SMC, which does not allow a spillover effect, and to fishing activities, as showed by the ABC curve results. Trophic analyses suggested the use of longlines at SMC, due to the dominance of planktivorous fish species, and of trammel nets at CIM, due to the great heterogeneity of the fish trophic groups. Shoot density and leaf length were significantly correlated with fish communities. CCA analyses showed omnivorous species, mostly belonging to the Sparidae family, correlated with the highest shoot densities, with their feeding habits mostly directed to crustaceans, while macro- and microinvertivores, mainly belonging to the Serranidae and Labridae families, correlated with the highest leaf lengths, where they sough shelter and feed. In conclusion, the data suggest that a zoning redesign at SMC and an increase in the surveillance of fishing activities at CIM might enhance the effectiveness of these MPAs, highlighting the role of fish community studies in identifying MPA efficiency issues and providing trustful guidelines for their management.

A chemical characterization of PM10 collected at hydrofoil exhaust stacks was performed conducting two on-board measuring campaigns, with the aim of assessing the ship emission impact on PM10 collected in the coastal area of Naples (Southern Italy) and providing information about the characteristics of this important PM emission source. Samples were analysed determining the contribution of different chemical parameters to PM10’s mass, which consisted of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (0.10 ± 0.12%), total carbon (61.9% ± 20.0%, with 40.4% of organic carbon, OC, and 21.5% of elemental carbon, EC) and elemental fraction (0.44% ± 1.00%). Differences in terms of composition and chemical parameter profiles were observed between samples collected during offshore navigation (Off) and samples collected during shunting operations (SO), the latter of higher concern on a local scale. For SO samples, lower contributions of OC and EC were observed (39.7% and 19.6% respectively) compared to Off samples (41.5% and 24.2%), and an increase in terms of elements (from 0.32 to 0.51%) and PAHs (from 0.06 to 0.12%) concentrations was observed. In addition, enrichment factors (EFs) for some elements such as V, Zn, Cd, Cu, Ag and Hg as well as PAHs profile varied significantly between SO and Off. Data presented here were compared with data on chemical composition of PM10 sampled in a tunnel, in a background site and in an urban site in the city of Naples. Results indicated that shipping activities contributed significantly to the emission of V and, in some extent, Zn and Cd; in addition, PAH profiles indicated a greater contribution to urban PM10 from vehicular traffic than shipping emissions. These results can significantly contribute to the correct evaluation of the influence of shipping emission on PM10 generation in urban coastal areas and can be a useful reference for similar studies. The coastal area of Naples is an important example of the coexistence of residential, touristic and natural areas with pollutants emission sources including, among the others, shipping emissions. In this and similar contexts, it is important to distinguish the contribution of each emission source to clearly define environmental control policies.

Red coral is one of the most important species belonging to the coralligenous habitats, being a structuring organism and highly sensitive to human pressure. The presence of red coral populations is historically well documented along the Campania coast (Tyrrhenian Sea), and, due to its high economic value, it has been commercially overharvested since ancient times. Red coral populations along several cliffs on the “Regno di Nettuno” MPA of the Gulf of Naples were investigated using ROV-imaging techniques. Coralligenous habitats were characterized in terms of percent cover and number of morphological groups. Pizzaco site showed the richest and most diverse community. Density of red coral colonies was calculated and compared with morphometric parameters. Results show an inversely correlated trend between colonies density and their size. Finally, fishing pressure was estimated through frequency of lost fishing gears, and S. Angelo site resulted the most stressed one. Anthropic stress plays a key role in the degradation of coralligenous habitats and the dramatic reduction of red coral populations recorded in recent years allows to suspect a more extensive degradation of the entire community. An assessment of the distribution and state of the populations can provide useful information to take measures for a better MPAs management.

The Antarctic region is usually considered a pristine area. Nevertheless, regional warming effects and increasing human activities, including the presence of several research stations, are inducing considerable environmental changes that may affect the ecosystem’s functions. Therefore, during the XXXIII Antarctic expedition, we carried out an investigation in Terra Nova bay (Ross Sea), close to the Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA) n.161. In particular, we compared the effects of two different types of impacts on the meiobenthic assemblages: anthropogenic impact (AI), associated with the activity of Mario Zucchelli Research Station (MZS), and natural impact (NI) attributable to a large colony of Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) in Adelie Cove. For each impacted site, a respective control site and two sampling depths (20 and 50 m) were selected. Several environmental variables (pH, dissolved oxygen, major and minor ions, heavy metals, organic load, and sediment grain size) were measured and analysed, to allow a comprehensive characterization of the sampling areas. According to the criteria defined by Unites States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA 2009), heavy metal concentrations did not reveal critical conditions. However, both the MZS (AI20) and penguin colony (NI20) sites showed higher heavy metal concentrations, the former due to human activities related to the Italian research station, with the latter caused by the penguins excrements. Meiobenthic richness and abundance values suggested that the worst ecological condition was consistently related to the Adélie penguins colony. Furthermore, the higher contribution of r-strategists corroborates the hypothesis that the chronic impact of the penguin colonies may have stronger effects on the meiobenthos than the human activities at the MZS. Food is not limited in shallow Antarctic bottoms, and microscale differences in primary and secondary production processes can likely explain the greater spatial heterogeneity, highlighted both by the univariate and multivariate attributes of meiobenthic assemblage (i.e., richness, diversity, abundance, whole structure assemblage, and rare taxa) at the deeper stations. As reported in other geographical regions, the assemblage structure of rare meiobenthic taxa is confirmed to be more susceptible to environmental variations, rather than the whole assemblage structure.

Rhodolith beds (RBs) are bioconstructions characterized by coralline algae, which provide habitat for several associated species. Mediterranean RBs are usually located in the mesophotic zone (below 40 m), and thus are frequently remote and unexplored. Recently, the importance and vulnerability of these habitats have been recognized by the European Community and more attention has been drawn to their investigation and conservation. This study reports the results of an extensive monitoring program, carried out within the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC), in six sites off the Campania coast (Italy, Mediterranean Sea). New insights were given into the distribution, cover, vitality (i.e., live/dead rhodolith ratio), structural complexity, and coralline algae composition of RBs. Remotely operated vehicles (ROV) investigations allowed the description of several RBs, and the discovery of a RB with rhodolith cover &gt, 65% offshore the Capri Island. Only two sites (Secchitiello and Punta Campanella) showed a very low mean cover of live rhodoliths (&lt, 10%), hence, not being classifiable as RBs. The collected rhodoliths were mostly small pralines (~2 cm), spheroidal to ellipsoidal, with growth-forms ranging from encrusting/warty to fruticose/lumpy. Coralline algae identification revealed a high diversity within each bed, with a total of 13 identified taxa. The genus Lithothamnion dominated all sites, and Phymatolithon calcareum and Lithothamnion corallioides, protected by the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), were detected in all RBs.

Posidonia oceanica is a priority habitat (Habitat Directive 92/43/CEE) that needs to be protected by conservation tools such as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Remote Sensing (RS) is a useful tool allowing for mapping seagrass meadows and other important marine habitats. In this study, we explore the global scientific literature on RS applied to both P. oceanica and MPAs tracking its evolution and trends by applying network analysis to bibliometric science. The software VOSviewer was used to create maps based on network data of scientific publications displaying relationships among authors and countries. In addition, specific keywords were used to explore the co-occurrence of different terms characterizing the application of RS in marine science. Results showed that France is the main country publishing on RS applied to Posidonia oceanica while Pergent Gerard and Pergent-Martini Cristine resulted the top authors. The co-occurrences analysis highlighted that RS is primarily used for seagrasses mapping, while few studies are focused on their monitoring. Furthermore, investigating RS in connection with MPAs the main country resulted Australia while the top author was Andrefouet. The network map of keywords showed that RS is widely applied to MPAs to study coral reefs and their biodiversity and for mapping marine ecosystems. The use of RS for monitoring Posidonia oceanica beds and MPAs resulted a poorly explored research area, probably due to the low resolution of available data determining large scale habitat mapping. In conclusion, we maintain that RS applications can provide useful information about the effects of local human activities and global climate change on marine ecosystems

Conservation actions (as Marine Protected Areas) are key tools to maintain coastal ecosystems. However, many reserves are characterized by several problems related to inadequate zonings that preclude important areas from economic activities, determining a strong hostility by local populations. Thus, estimations of marine economic values-in-use are needed for protection of marine ecosystem in order to find the best compromise between conservation priorities and local population needs. Algorithms to estimate monetary values of the main human activities in marine territories (large scale and small scale fishings, aquaculture, beach resorts, yachting, diving and commercial shipping) are here implemented using Gulf of Naples (centre Tyrrhenian sea, Italy) as study area example. These algorithms are based on different sources data (questionnaires, monitoring activities, official local authority reports, web and scientific literature). They can also be compared with each other being their outputs all expressed in the same measure unit. During the models development process a new flexible approach, called “Systematic Costs Assessment” (SCA), to assess opportunity costs in systematic conservation planning process was developed and applied. Results show that the total turnover in the Gulf of Naples is 3,950,753,487 € per year and 747,647,887 € per year excluding small scale fishing estimation, and one hectare of marine territory is worth 40,672 € and 7696 € per year excluding small scale fishing activity. In particular, excluding small scale fishing activity, beach resort and yachting show the highest values referred to one hectare of marine territories. In conclusion, SCA is a flexible approach where no long and costly sampling campaigns are always needed, provided that two assumptions have to be taken into account, in order to estimate credible values-in-use costs: i) do not use economic activities data and ecosystem services data in the same assessment layer, since it could lead to costs overestimation and ii) SCA method are efficient when used by operators with strong knowledge of the study area, since they are able to recognize parameters affecting economic activities of local population.

Coralligenous structuring species (CSS) form a group of marine megabenthic species with an engineering capacity. Since they are highly vulnerable to anthropogenic activities, they have been selected for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) monitoring programs. The pressure and impact of fishing gear and marine litter on these species were evaluated through the image analysis of 54 remotely operated vehicle (ROV) routes along the Campania coasts (Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy). CSS density was calculated as the number of colonies/100 m2. Anthropogenic pressure was estimated as the frequency of frames showing longline, nets, other gear, plastic objects, metal objects, and other litter, while the impact was expressed as the frequency showing necrosis/epibiosis, broken/upturned and covered/entangled colonies. Cnidaria dominate in the Napoli, Campanella and Capri areas, while Bryozoa dominate in Cilento N and Cilento S areas. Campanella and Capri appeared to be the least heterogeneous despite their higher CSS densities, which was possibly related to the dominance of a few species. These areas were the most affected by showing the highest numbers of fishing gear (longlines) and marine litter (metal objects) recorded, amongst which longlines are the most abundant. In addition, these fishing areas are either close to a large urban center or located along popular touristic routes. In all the areas, colonies with necrosis/epibiosis (CNE) impact are present with low-moderate values, while the category gears covering/entangling (GCE) impact prevails in the Campanella and Capri areas, and this is strictly connected to the high presence of fishing gear.

1. Although it is widely recognized that protection may enhance size, abundance, and diversity of fish, its effect on spatial heterogeneity of fish assemblages and species turnover is still poorly understood. 2. Here the effect of full protection within a Mediterranean marine protected area on beta-diversity patterns of fish assemblages along a depth gradient comparing a no-take zone with multiple unprotected areas is explored. The no-take zone showed significantly higher synecological parameters, higher beta-diversity among depths, and lower small-scale heterogeneity of fish assemblages relative to unprotected areas. 3. Such patterns might likely depend on the high level of fishing pressure outside the no-take zone, as also abundance-biomass curves seemed to indicate. Results suggested that full protection could play a role in maintaining high beta-diversity, thus reducing the fragility of marine communities and ecosystems, and spatial heterogeneity may represent a reliable predictor of how management actions could provide insurance against undesirable phase shifts.

This work was supported by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) within the COST Action CA15121, advancing marine conservation in the European and contiguous seas (MarCons). Climate change is leading to an increase of mean sea surface temperatures and extreme heat events. There is an urgent need to better understand the capabilities of marine macroalgae to adapt to these rapid changes. In this study, the responses of photosynthesis, respiration, and calcification to elevated temperature in a global warming scenario were investigated in the coralline alga Corallina officinalis. Algae were cultured for 7 weeks under 4 temperature treatments: (1) control under ambient-summer conditions (C, ∼20 °C), (2) simulating a one-week heatwave of 1 °C (HW, Tcontrol+1 °C), (3) elevated temperature (+3, Tcontrol +3 °C), (4) combination of the two previous treatments (HW+3, T+3+1 °C). After exposure at T+3 (up to a Tmax of ∼23 °C), respiration and photosynthesis increased significantly. After 5 weeks, calcification rates were higher at elevated temperatures (T+3 and THW+3) compared to Tcontrol, but at the end of the experiment (7 weeks) calcification decreased significantly at those temperatures beyond the thermal optimum (six-fold at T+3, and three-fold at THW+3, respectively). The same trend was noted for all the physiological processes, suggesting that a prolonged exposure to high temperatures (7 weeks up to T+3) negatively affect the physiology of C. officinalis, as a possible consequence of thermal stress. A one-week heatwave of +1 °C with respect to Tcontrol (at THW) did not affect respiration, photosynthesis, or calcification rates. Conversely, a heatwave of 1 °C, when combined with the 3 °C increase predicted by the end of the century (at THW+3), induced a reduction of physiological rates. Continued increases in both the intensity and frequency of heatwaves under anthropogenic climate change may lead to reduced growth and survival of primary producers such as C. officinalis. Postprint

Impact of fishing gears and marine litter is a recognized global socio-ecological issue. Little is known about the extent of the problem in the Mediterranean seabed; even less information is available regarding litter distribution and its effects on deep rhodolith beds. Indeed, Mediterranean rhodolith beds are often remote and not yet sufficiently explored habitats, despite being internationally protected and recognized among the most important benthic communities for biodiversity maintenance. In this study, a quantitative assessment of marine litter and lost fishing gears, observed using a remotely operated vehicle, was carried out in 6 sites off the Campania Coast (Tyrrhenian Sea) characterized by different rhodolith covers. A negative correlation between abundance and richness of both marine litter and abandoned fishing gears with respect to the rhodolith cover was detected, suggesting that indirect human pressure along the coasts and direct effect of fishing activities might negatively damage these habitats. In fact, a lot of abandoned fishing gears and litter were recorded in all the 4 sites of the Gulf of Naples, confirming the high impact of maritime activities in this overcrowded area. Particularly, the Secchitiello site showed a very low mean cover of rhodoliths (

Molluscan assemblage of coastal area facing the very polluted Sarno River estuary to offshore (Gulf of Naples, Italy) was studied, focusing on temporal and depth-related distribution of species diversity, quali-quantitative composition and trophic guilds structure. A total of 9 stations, at depths ranging between 7 and 95m, were sampled in triplicate by means of a 0.17 m 2 Van Veen grab in four sampling occasions (2 seasons, winter and summer, during 2 years, 2015 and 2016). A total of 1,744 individuals, belonging to 78 species and 3 classes (Bivalvia, Gastropoda and Scaphopoda), was recorded. Bivalves, followed by gastropods, qualitatively and quantitatively dominated the mollusc assemblages and both these taxonomic groups showed the highest values in the shallower stations down to about 25 m depth. In the deeper stations, only the bivalve taxon was dominant, even though exhibiting a much lower species richness and abundance. On the overall, the molluscan species were ascribed to 6 feeding guilds: Suspension and deposit feeders were the dominant trophic groups, occurring at all stations along the bathymetrical gradient, while predators, detritus feeders, ecto-parasites and scavengers were poorly represented and mainly occurred in the shallowest stations. The mollusc composition and distribution pattern along the bathymetrical gradient over time show signs of structural stability that might be mainly due to the continuous supply of organic matter from the river mouth expanding to all area. These results are of primary importance for filling the knowledge gaps on benthic biodiversity over a still poorly known and very fragile coastal area under continuous anthropogenic pressures mainly through the runoff of a very polluted river.

Sciaphilous organisms compose the Mediterranean coralligenous assemblages which have solar irradiance reduction in the water column as a main structuring environmental factor. These communities and associated habitats are taken into consideration for protection at European level, and monitoring activities of their status are mandatory (Marine Strategy Framework Directive, 2008/56/EC) representing hot spots of biodiversity. However, sampling activities of these habitats are often very expensive, thus, in recent years, remote surveys performed by underwater robots (ROVs) are more and more applied. In the present investigation Morphological Groups (MGs), which are parataxonomic proxies allowing to describe coralligenous assemblages using ROV images, are used to assess community structure and diversity of six randomly chosen sites in the Gulf of Naples, as representative of three substrate types (boulders/debris, rocky cliff and sand/mud) at two depths (De Results show that the most abundant MGs in all substrates and depths are represented by crustose coralline algae and encrusting sponges, which account for significant quantitative differences only among sites (p Such findings suggest that, i) similar coralligenous assemblages structures are strictly related to edaphic factors; ii) the apparent contradiction between high CBQI values and low heterogeneities might be explained by the long successional process of bioconstruction formation, converging in similar assemblages coherently with substrate and depth-related factors. Thus, to this respect, a low small-scale heterogeneity of assemblages (as a proxy of β-diversity measure) may be considered as a reliable indicator of high quality status.

Biogenic formations, built up by the sessile and gregarious vermetid gastropod Dendropoma cristatum , were studied from June to October 2014 along the rocky shores of Licosa islet (Gulf of Salerno, Tyrrhenian Sea), where they build up the northernmost reefs in the Mediterranean Sea in order to shed light on possible latitudinal changes. The islet has two differently exposed sides, with three types of vermetid formations: the first consists in a thin layer composed by vermetid gastropods and the coralline alga N. brassica-florida , widespread only in the sheltered side of the islet; the second is represented by small isolated pillows (13.9 ± 5.64 cm), all around the islet at depth of more than fifteen centimetres; the third is a well-structured reef, characterized by a dense layer of mollusc shells that overgrow each other, only found in the exposed side of the islet. The vermetid reef was monitored in two sites with different substrates: ancient walls, made of calcareous lateritious material, and the flysch rocks, composed by siliceous turbiditic deposits. While no differences arise in gastropod density related to rock type (calcareous lateritious material versus siliceous turbiditic deposits), significant differences have been found along a vertical gradient, seeing density increases from the upper intertidal to the upper subtidal level. The associated algal cover seems to be inversely related to the vermetid density. In the upper intertidal, D. cristatum was almost completely covered (about 83%) by a thick layer of encrusting alga N. brassica-florida . In the lower intertidal the encrusting alga disappear but the shells of vermetid gastropods were remarkably colonized by the erected red algae of the “ Laurencia complex” (70%) while in the upper subtidal, the vermetid shells were scarcely covered, mainly by other algal species (13%). By comparing present data with those of Sicilian reefs no evidences arise due to the different latitude. Innovative approaches (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems technology and fractal geometry) applied to these marine bioconstructions, resulted very effective in mapping and structuring the complexity of the reefs.

Coastal environments may be impacted by several anthropogenic activities such as sewage discharges, fish-farming and hydrocarbons along with seaside tourism activities, all proved to have an effect on benthic and, particularly, meiobenthic assemblages. An ecological survey was conducted along the Apulian coast (South Italy) to explore potential relationships between the degree of human disturbance and meiobenthic communities which are still unexplored. Sediment samples were collected in triplicate from 3 stations along each of 16 transects and at a different depth gradient (from ∼10 to 50 m). The levels of taxa richness and biodiversity of the meiobenthic and nematode assemblages were overall high. The Water Framework Directive and Marine Strategy Framework Directive suggest the creation of specific thresholds to define the EcoQ (Ecological Quality) status of marine coastal systems. The thresholds applied on the meiobenthos showed the worst conditions at Brindisi harbour and at the mussel farm infrastructure of Castro. An overall moderate impact was also detected at the multiple-use Marine Protect Area of Porto Cesareo, likely due to the overwhelming number of tourists leading to an increase of organic enrichment (sewage discharge) negatively affecting the benthic communities assemblages. The main representatives of the nematode assemblages were taxa known as typical of muddy sediments. When EcoQ was assessed with the nematode thresholds, the worst EcoQ was found at Brindisi Harbour, Torre Specchia, and Alimini Lakes. The ecological conditions revealed by meiobenthic and nematode assemblages were generally consistent and seem to highlight a greater alteration of the meiobenthic communities assemblages along the Adriatic than the Ionian coasts.

Marine Protected Areas are considered key tools for conservation of coastal ecosystems. However, many reserves are characterized by several problems mainly related to inadequate zonings that often do not protect high biodiversity and propagule supply areas precluding, at the same time, economic important zones for local interests. The Gulf of Naples is here employed as a study area to assess the effects of inclusion of different conservation features and costs in reserve design process. In particular eight scenarios are developed using graph theory to identify propagule source patches and fishing and exploitation activities as costs-in-use for local population. Scenarios elaborated by MARXAN, software commonly used for marine conservation planning, are compared using multivariate analyses (MDS, PERMANOVA and PERMDISP) in order to assess input data having greatest effects on protected areas selection. MARXAN is heuristic software able to give a number of different correct results, all of them near to the best solution. Its outputs show that the most important areas to be protected, in order to ensure longterm habitat life and adequate propagule supply, are mainly located around the Gulf islands. In addition through statistical analyses it allowed us to prove that different choices on conservation features lead to statistically different scenarios. The presence of propagule supply patches forces MARXAN to select almost the same areas to protect decreasingly different MARXAN results and, thus, choices for reserves area selection. The multivariate analyses applied here to marine spatial planning proved to be very helpful allowing to identify i) how different scenario input data affect MARXAN and ii) what features have to be taken into account in study areas characterized by peculiar biological and economic interests.

Coralligenous bioconstructions are among the most important Mediterranean habitats for biodiversity maintenance. However some characteristic and sensitive organisms, such as the fan corals, are considered endangered in the international community; indeed, they may be severely damaged by fishing activities causing mechanical damage and increasing sedimentation rate. ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) investigations were carried out in order to characterize different morphological types of coralligenous habitat (rim, bank and shoal) located in the southern Bay of Naples (Italy), and to assess the presence of lost fishing gears and their impact on these benthic communities. A rapid classification of different fishing pressures and impacts was obtained through the development of new, representative and synthetic categories. Image analysis revealed the presence of rich and diversified communities, characterized by several fan coral colonies. However, fishing activity dramatically affects these coralligenous habitats, entangling and covering benthic assemblages and leading to necrosis and to parasitic epibionts growth especially on branched organisms. Monitoring programmes may provide a detailed assessment of coralligenous habitats characterization, distribution and health status. An accurate evaluation of fishing pressure and impact may be considered a useful tool to improve sustainable management of these valuable habitats.

Marine Protected Areas are considered key tools for conservation of coastal ecosystems. However, many reserves are characterized by several problems mainly related to inadequate zonings that often do not protect high biodiversity and propagule supply areas precluding, at the same time, economic important zones for local interests. The Gulf of Naples is here employed as a study area to assess the effects of inclusion of different conservation features and costs in reserve design process. In particular eight scenarios are developed using graph theory to identify propagule source patches and fishing and exploitation activities as costs-in-use for local population. Scenarios elaborated by MARXAN, software commonly used for marine conservation planning, are compared using multivariate analyses (MDS, PERMANOVA and PERMDISP) in order to assess input data having greatest effects on protected areas selection. MARXAN is heuristic software able to give a number of different correct results, all of them near to the best solution. Its outputs show that the most important areas to be protected, in order to ensure long-term habitat life and adequate propagule supply, are mainly located around the Gulf islands. In addition through statistical analyses it allowed us to prove that different choices on conservation features lead to statistically different scenarios. The presence of propagule supply patches forces MARXAN to select almost the same areas to protect decreasingly different MARXAN results and, thus, choices for reserves area selection. The multivariate analyses applied here to marine spatial planning proved to be very helpful allowing to identify i) how different scenario input data affect MARXAN and ii) what features have to be taken into account in study areas characterized by peculiar biological and economic interests.