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1. Distribution, health and threats to Mediterranean macroalgal forests: defining the baselines for their conservation and restoration

Author

Verdura, J, Rehues, L, Mangialajo, L, Fraschetti, S, Belattmania, Z, Bianchelli, S, Blanfune, A, Sabour, B, Chiarore, A, Danovaro, R, Fabbrizzi, E, Giakoumi, S, Ivesa, L, Katsanevakis, S, Kytinou, E, Nasto, I, Nikolaou, A, Orfanidis, S, Rilov, G, Rindi, F, Sales, M, Sini, M, Tamburello, L, Thibaut, T, Tsirintanis, K, Cebrian, E, Verdura J., Rehues L., Mangialajo L., Fraschetti S., Belattmania Z., Bianchelli S., Blanfune A., Sabour B., Chiarore A., Danovaro R., Fabbrizzi E., Giakoumi S., Ivesa L., Katsanevakis S., Kytinou E., Nasto I., Nikolaou A., Orfanidis S., Rilov G., Rindi F., Sales M., Sini M., Tamburello L., Thibaut T., Tsirintanis K., Cebrian E., Verdura, J, Rehues, L, Mangialajo, L, Fraschetti, S, Belattmania, Z, Bianchelli, S, Blanfune, A, Sabour, B, Chiarore, A, Danovaro, R, Fabbrizzi, E, Giakoumi, S, Ivesa, L, Katsanevakis, S, Kytinou, E, Nasto, I, Nikolaou, A, Orfanidis, S, Rilov, G, Rindi, F, Sales, M, Sini, M, Tamburello, L, Thibaut, T, Tsirintanis, K, Cebrian, E, Verdura J., Rehues L., Mangialajo L., Fraschetti S., Belattmania Z., Bianchelli S., Blanfune A., Sabour B., Chiarore A., Danovaro R., Fabbrizzi E., Giakoumi S., Ivesa L., Katsanevakis S., Kytinou E., Nasto I., Nikolaou A., Orfanidis S., Rilov G., Rindi F., Sales M., Sini M., Tamburello L., Thibaut T., Tsirintanis K., and Cebrian E.

Abstract

The worldwide decline of macroalgal forests is raising major concerns for the potentially negative consequences on biodiversity and ecosystem functions, pushing for the definition of specific conservation and restoration measures. Protecting and restoring these habitats requires detailed information on their distribution, ecological status, and drivers of decline. Here, we provide the most updated available information on the distribution of Mediterranean Cystoseira s.l. forests by conducting a comprehensive bibliographic survey of literature published from 2009 to 2021, complemented by unpublished data. We also provide insights into the ecological status of these forests and the stressors affecting them across the Mediterranean basin. Our results show that most Mediterranean coasts remain un(der)studied and that the available information is concentrated in spatially limited coastal areas, restricted to very few species. When the ecological status is reported, data is highly heterogeneous, making any comparisons problematic, what claims for the description and use of easy and standardized monitoring methods for comparative purposes. Drivers of decline of Cystoseira s.l. forest have been even less investigated and, therefore, still poorly characterized. Our results highlight that our current knowledge is still insufficient to implement effective conservation and restoration strategies at the basin scale but also regionally. We call for the urgent need for mapping and standardized monitoring of Cystoseira s.l. forests to obtain baseline information for future management strategies involving their conservation, the mitigation of the stressors threatening them and the restoration of the degraded forests.

Published
2023

2. The challenge of setting restoration targets for macroalgal forests under climate changes

Author

Fabbrizzi, E, Giakoumi, S, De Leo, F, Tamburello, L, Chiarore, A, Colletti, A, Coppola, M, Munari, M, Musco, L, Rindi, F, Rizzo, L, Savinelli, B, Franzitta, G, Grech, D, Cebrian, E, Verdura, J, Bianchelli, S, Mangialajo, L, Nasto, I, Sota, D, Orfanidis, S, Papadopoulou, N, Danovaro, R, Fraschetti, S, Fabbrizzi E., Giakoumi S., De Leo F., Tamburello L., Chiarore A., Colletti A., Coppola M., Munari M., Musco L., Rindi F., Rizzo L., Savinelli B., Franzitta G., Grech D., Cebrian E., Verdura J., Bianchelli S., Mangialajo L., Nasto I., Sota D., Orfanidis S., Papadopoulou N. K., Danovaro R., Fraschetti S., Fabbrizzi, E, Giakoumi, S, De Leo, F, Tamburello, L, Chiarore, A, Colletti, A, Coppola, M, Munari, M, Musco, L, Rindi, F, Rizzo, L, Savinelli, B, Franzitta, G, Grech, D, Cebrian, E, Verdura, J, Bianchelli, S, Mangialajo, L, Nasto, I, Sota, D, Orfanidis, S, Papadopoulou, N, Danovaro, R, Fraschetti, S, Fabbrizzi E., Giakoumi S., De Leo F., Tamburello L., Chiarore A., Colletti A., Coppola M., Munari M., Musco L., Rindi F., Rizzo L., Savinelli B., Franzitta G., Grech D., Cebrian E., Verdura J., Bianchelli S., Mangialajo L., Nasto I., Sota D., Orfanidis S., Papadopoulou N. K., Danovaro R., and Fraschetti S.

Abstract

The process of site selection and spatial planning has received scarce attention in the scientific literature dealing with marine restoration, suggesting the need to better address how spatial planning tools could guide restoration interventions. In this study, for the first time, the consequences of adopting different restoration targets and criteria on spatial restoration prioritization have been assessed at a regional scale, including the consideration of climate changes. We applied the decision-support tool Marxan, widely used in systematic conservation planning on Mediterranean macroalgal forests. The loss of this habitat has been largely documented, with limited evidences of natural recovery. Spatial priorities were identified under six planning scenarios, considering three main restoration targets to reflect the objectives of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. Results show that the number of suitable sites for restoration is very limited at basin scale, and targets are only achieved when the recovery of 10% of regressing and extinct macroalgal forests is planned. Increasing targets translates into including unsuitable areas for restoration in Marxan solutions, amplifying the risk of ineffective interventions. Our analysis supports macroalgal forests restoration and provides guiding principles and criteria to strengthen the effectiveness of restoration actions across habitats. The constraints in finding suitable areas for restoration are discussed, and recommendations to guide planning to support future restoration interventions are also included.

Published
2023

3. Smart Water Quality Monitoring in Vlora: Design of an expert system for real-time monitoring of drinking water and detection of contamination in the aqueduct of the city of Vlora, Albania

Author

Nasto, I, Zanaj, E, Bakaj, A, Bedinaj, L, Sota, D, Qarri, F, Cipi, E, Salihila, J, Nasto I., Zanaj E., Bakaj A., Bedinaj L., Sota D., Qarri F., Cipi E., Salihila J., Nasto, I, Zanaj, E, Bakaj, A, Bedinaj, L, Sota, D, Qarri, F, Cipi, E, Salihila, J, Nasto I., Zanaj E., Bakaj A., Bedinaj L., Sota D., Qarri F., Cipi E., and Salihila J.

Abstract

In recent years, water pollution has become one of the major problems that countries around the world face. The needs for drinking water in a tourist city like Vlora, Albania have changed in the last twenty years both in terms of the size of the aqueduct and consumption of the population. Therefore, it is important to constantly monitor the quality of the water, to be able to intervene and combat water pollution. The present work proposes a monitoring network based on most important water parameter such as pH, Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen, which will be measured through a network of wireless sensors on the entire water network of the city. This testbed will consist in building a monitoring system that can be later used to monitor other parameters or even in other situations. The system proposed in this approach is a combination of different sensors, whose sole purpose will be the monitoring of the parameter in the water over different time intervals, a database and an expert system. All the information gathered from the sensors related to the Dissolved Oxygen in the water, will be stored in a database. This database will then serve as a focal point for the expert system. The expert system will consist of a knowledge base and an interface engine, which together will serve as a monitoring, diagnostic, signaling, scheduling and planning for specialized events. The knowledge base will function based on data from human experts related to water pollution, for the interference engine to be able to make decisions based on different findings and scenarios in the cases of deviations from the norm parameter. The experimental results gathered during the implementation of the project will serve as a model that in the future can help in other systems that can be used for monitoring the environment in an intelligent and sustainable way.

Published
2022

4. Effects of Natural and Anthropogenic Stressors on Fucalean Brown Seaweeds Across Different Spatial Scales in the Mediterranean Sea

Author

Orfanidis, S, Rindi, F, Cebrian, E, Fraschetti, S, Nasto, I, Taskin, E, Bianchelli, S, Papathanasiou, V, Kosmidou, M, Caragnano, A, Tsioli, S, Ratti, S, Fabbrizzi, E, Verdura, J, Tamburello, L, Beqiraj, S, Kashta, L, Sota, D, Papadimitriou, A, Mahmoudi, E, Kicaj, H, Georgiadis, K, Hannachi, A, Danovaro, R, Orfanidis S., Rindi F., Cebrian E., Fraschetti S., Nasto I., Taskin E., Bianchelli S., Papathanasiou V., Kosmidou M., Caragnano A., Tsioli S., Ratti S., Fabbrizzi E., Verdura J., Tamburello L., Beqiraj S., Kashta L., Sota D., Papadimitriou A., Mahmoudi E., Kicaj H., Georgiadis K., Hannachi A., Danovaro R., Orfanidis, S, Rindi, F, Cebrian, E, Fraschetti, S, Nasto, I, Taskin, E, Bianchelli, S, Papathanasiou, V, Kosmidou, M, Caragnano, A, Tsioli, S, Ratti, S, Fabbrizzi, E, Verdura, J, Tamburello, L, Beqiraj, S, Kashta, L, Sota, D, Papadimitriou, A, Mahmoudi, E, Kicaj, H, Georgiadis, K, Hannachi, A, Danovaro, R, Orfanidis S., Rindi F., Cebrian E., Fraschetti S., Nasto I., Taskin E., Bianchelli S., Papathanasiou V., Kosmidou M., Caragnano A., Tsioli S., Ratti S., Fabbrizzi E., Verdura J., Tamburello L., Beqiraj S., Kashta L., Sota D., Papadimitriou A., Mahmoudi E., Kicaj H., Georgiadis K., Hannachi A., and Danovaro R.

Abstract

Algal habitat-forming forests composed of fucalean brown seaweeds (Cystoseira, Ericaria, and Gongolaria) have severely declined along the Mediterranean coasts, endangering the maintenance of essential ecosystem services. Numerous factors determine the loss of these assemblages and operate at different spatial scales, which must be identified to plan conservation and restoration actions. To explore the critical stressors (natural and anthropogenic) that may cause habitat degradation, we investigated (a) the patterns of variability of fucalean forests in percentage cover (abundance) at three spatial scales (location, forest, transect) by visual estimates and or photographic sampling to identify relevant spatial scales of variation, (b) the correlation between semi-quantitative anthropogenic stressors, individually or cumulatively (MA-LUSI index), including natural stressors (confinement, sea urchin grazing), and percentage cover of functional groups (perennial, semi-perennial) at forest spatial scale. The results showed that impacts from mariculture and urbanization seem to be the main stressors affecting habitat-forming species. In particular, while mariculture, urbanization, and cumulative anthropogenic stress negatively correlated with the percentage cover of perennial fucalean species, the same stressors were positively correlated with the percentage cover of the semi-perennial Cystoseira compressa and C. compressa subsp. pustulata. Our results indicate that human impacts can determine spatial patterns in these fragmented and heterogeneous marine habitats, thus stressing the need of carefully considering scale-dependent ecological processes to support conservation and restoration.

Published
2021

5. Chaotic genetic structure and past demographic expansion of the invasive gastropod Tritia neritea in its native range, the Mediterranean Sea

Author

Boissin, E, Neglia, V, Baksay, S, Micu, D, Bat, L, Topaloglu, B, Todorova, V, Panayotova, M, Kruschel, C, Milchakova, N, Voutsinas, E, Beqiraj, S, Nasto, I, Aglieri, G, Taviani, M, Zane, L, Planes, S, Boissin E., Neglia V., Baksay S., Micu D., Bat L., Topaloglu B., Todorova V., Panayotova M., Kruschel C., Milchakova N., Voutsinas E., Beqiraj S., Nasto I., Aglieri G., Taviani M., Zane L., Planes S., Boissin, E, Neglia, V, Baksay, S, Micu, D, Bat, L, Topaloglu, B, Todorova, V, Panayotova, M, Kruschel, C, Milchakova, N, Voutsinas, E, Beqiraj, S, Nasto, I, Aglieri, G, Taviani, M, Zane, L, Planes, S, Boissin E., Neglia V., Baksay S., Micu D., Bat L., Topaloglu B., Todorova V., Panayotova M., Kruschel C., Milchakova N., Voutsinas E., Beqiraj S., Nasto I., Aglieri G., Taviani M., Zane L., and Planes S.

Abstract

To better predict population evolution of invasive species in introduced areas it is critical to identify and understand the mechanisms driving genetic diversity and structure in their native range. Here, we combined analyses of the mitochondrial COI gene and 11 microsatellite markers to investigate both past demographic history and contemporaneous genetic structure in the native area of the gastropod Tritia neritea, using Bayesian skyline plots (BSP), multivariate analyses and Bayesian clustering. The BSP framework revealed population expansions, dated after the last glacial maximum. The haplotype network revealed a strong geographic clustering. Multivariate analyses and Bayesian clustering highlighted the strong genetic structure at all scales, between the Black Sea and the Adriatic Sea, but also within basins. Within basins, a random pattern of genetic patchiness was observed, suggesting a superimposition of processes involving natural biological effects (no larval phase and thus limited larval dispersal) and putative anthropogenic transport of specimens. Contrary to the introduced area, no isolation-by-distance patterns were recovered in the Mediterranean or the Black Seas, highlighting different mechanisms at play on both native and introduced areas, triggering unknown consequences for species’ evolutionary trajectories. These results of Tritia neritea populations on its native range highlight a mixture of ancient and recent processes, with the effects of paleoclimates and life history traits likely tangled with the effects of human-mediated dispersal.

Published
2020

6. U/Th dating records of cold-water coral colonization in submarine canyons and adjacent sectors of the southern Adriatic Sea since the Last Glacial Maximum

Author

Taviani, M, Angeletti, L, Foglini, F, Corselli, C, Nasto, I, Pons-Branchu, E, Montagna, P, Taviani M., Angeletti L., Foglini F., Corselli C., Nasto I., Pons-Branchu E., Montagna P., Taviani, M, Angeletti, L, Foglini, F, Corselli, C, Nasto, I, Pons-Branchu, E, Montagna, P, Taviani M., Angeletti L., Foglini F., Corselli C., Nasto I., Pons-Branchu E., and Montagna P.

Abstract

The deep southern Adriatic Sea is home of widespread cold-water coral colonization (Madrepora oculata, Lophelia pertusa, Desmophyllum dianthus) which is at present limited by large to its western (Apulian) margin and central part, including the Bari Canyon system. On the contrary, the eastern side is today almost deprived of significant coral growth and this asymmetrical distribution has been ascribed primarily to the action of the North Adriatic Dense Water (NAdDW) that impinges more efficiently on the Apulian margin. The collection of subfossil specimens of M. oculata, L. pertusa and D. dianthus provided the very first dates for cold-water coral colonization along the eastern margin. Once combined with known distribution of live cold-water corals and fossil occurrences in the southern Adriatic Sea, uranium-series dating provides evidence of (i) coral presence in the southeastern Adriatic during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), followed by (ii) a time of basin-wide colonization after the post-Last Glacial Maximum and encompassing the Younger Dryas, (iii) another time of undocumented coral presence with the onset of Sapropel S1. Perturbations of the thermohaline circulation in this sector of the Mediterranean basin might have governed the presence and demise of the resident cold-water coral populations interfering with strength and trajectories of main water masses. It is hypothesized that the achievement of the current asymmetrical distribution did occur since the end of S1 protracting to present time. The post-S1 reorganization likely brought to the current hydrological situation where the influence of NAdDW prevails in the western side and corals are doing at best on its trajectory. The scarcity of datable material makes the proposed scenario open to debate and in need of further supporting evidence.

Published
2019

7. CARATTERIZZAZIONE DELLE COMUNITA A CORALLO DI ACQUA FREDDA NEL ADRIATICO MERIDIONALE

Author

Nasto, I, NASTO, INA, Nasto, I, and NASTO, INA

Abstract

INTRODUZIONE GENERALE Le comunità di coralli di acqua fredda sono estremamente importanti per l'ecosistema bentonico. Essendo stato dichiarato un importante ecosistema sia per il valore ecologico che per quello economico, la proposta di questa tesi è quella di descrivere le comunità di coralli d'acqua fredda nell'Adriatico sud. Le attività di ricerca si sono concentrate su quattro diversi argomenti elencati di seguito. La fauna bentonica di Sessile associata al corallo sub-fossile dell'acqua fredda dall'Albania Questo studio presenta una descrizione preliminare della fauna associata al quadro corallo subfossile in due siti recentemente trovati in Albania. La Macrofauna è stata registrata durante due indagini di pesca sperimentali condotte nel marzo 2015 e nel maggio 2016 in due zone profonde della costa albanese, tra la profondità di 190 e 230 m. Sono stati analizzati campioni di coralli subfossili di Lophelia pertusa e Dendrophyllia cornigera per identificare la fauna associata. Sono state identificate 82 specie, 2 Foraminifera, 22 Porifera, 6 Cnidaria, 25 Mollusca, 14 Annelida, 1 Arthropoda, 11 Bryozoa, 1 Echinodermata, di cui 75 specie che sono nuovi record per la fauna albanese. Tutte le specie identificate sono state precedentemente riportate nelle aree coralline di Santa Maria di Leuca e Bari Canyon. Questo studio ha aggiornato la conoscenza della biodiversità del profondo mare Adriatico sudorientale, nonché della fauna marina albanese in particolare. Nuove informazioni ottenute per le specie di acque profonde confermano l'importante contributo del quadro di corallo dell'acqua fredda nella biodiversità del segnale acustico. Variazioni morfologiche spatiotemporali del Mediterraneo Lophelia pertusa. Per valutare se la variazione morfologica di L. pertusa segue un modello specifico basato su variabili ambientali (o altre), questo studio combina due differenti approcci morfometrici: la morfologia lineare lineare classica e l'utilizzo di punti di riferimen, The present study regarding the Albanian CWC and associated biota consists of specific research activities focused on the four main topics listed below. Sessile benthic fauna associated with sub-fossil Cold Water Coral from off Albania This section presents a preliminary description of the fauna associated with sub-fossil coral framework in two sites recently found in off Albania. Macrofauna was recorded during two experimental fishing surveys conducted in March 2015 and May 2016 in two deep areas of the Albanian coast, between the depth of 190 to 230 m. Sub-fossil coral samples of L. pertusa and D. cornigera were analyzed to identify the associated fauna. A total of 82 species were identified, 2 Foraminifera, 22 Porifera, 6 Cnidaria, 25 Mollusca, 14 Annelida, 1 Arthropoda, 11 Bryozoa, 1 Echinodermata, including 75 species that are new records for the Albanian fauna. Morphological variations of Mediterranean Lophelia pertusa The main aims of this study are to test the existence of distinct morphological groups within the quasi-cosmopolitan species L. pertusa in the Mediterranean and to identify, if any, relationships between morphological groups (both in modern and fossil corals) and (paleo) oceanographic conditions. Applications of X-ray Computed Tomography in the morphometric study of the Adriatic Lophelia pertusa The aim of this analysis was to investigate whether there are really morphological differences between these four Lophelia colonies, both in the morphology of the corallites and in their spatial organization. Computed tomography made possible to measure some variables chosen according to the species's characteristics. Dating the Albanian Adriatic cold water corals This part of my study deals on the the precise U/Th dating of dead corals specimens sourced coming from Albanian waters. Smples were obtained off Albania by the oceanographic CNR CoCoMap13 cruise in the southeastern Adriatic Sea and one Lophelia pertusa colony caught during experimental fishing

Published
2017

8. Contemporary genetic structure and postglacial demographic history of the black scorpionfish,Scorpaena porcus, in the Mediterranean and the Black Seas

Author

Boissin, E., primary, Micu, D., additional, Janczyszyn-Le Goff, M., additional, Neglia, V., additional, Bat, L., additional, Todorova, V., additional, Panayotova, M., additional, Kruschel, C., additional, Macic, V., additional, Milchakova, N., additional, Keskin, Ç., additional, Anastasopoulou, A., additional, Nasto, I., additional, Zane, L., additional, and Planes, S., additional

Published
2016
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9. Contemporary genetic structure and postglacial demographic history of the black scorpionfish, Scorpaena porcus, in the Mediterranean and the Black Seas.

Author

Boissin, E., Micu, D., Janczyszyn‐Le Goff, M., Neglia, V., Bat, L., Todorova, V., Panayotova, M., Kruschel, C., Macic, V., Milchakova, N., Keskin, Ç., Anastasopoulou, A., Nasto, I., Zane, L., and Planes, S.

Subjects
SCORPIONFISHES, SCORPAENA, BAYESIAN analysis, GENETIC code, ECOSYSTEM management
Abstract

Understanding the distribution of genetic diversity in the light of past demographic events linked with climatic shifts will help to forecast evolutionary trajectories of ecosystems within the current context of climate change. In this study, mitochondrial sequences and microsatellite loci were analysed using traditional population genetic approaches together with Bayesian dating and the more recent approximate Bayesian computation scenario testing. The genetic structure and demographic history of a commercial fish, the black scorpionfish, Scorpaena porcus, was investigated throughout the Mediterranean and Black Seas. The results suggest that the species recently underwent population expansions, in both seas, likely concomitant with the warming period following the Last Glacial Maximum, 20 000 years ago. A weak contemporaneous genetic differentiation was identified between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. However, the genetic diversity was similar for populations of the two seas, suggesting a high number of colonizers entered the Black Sea during the interglacial period and/or the presence of a refugial population in the Black Sea during the glacial period. Finally, within seas, an east/west genetic differentiation in the Adriatic seems to prevail, whereas the Black Sea does not show any structured spatial genetic pattern of its population. Overall, these results suggest that the Black Sea is not that isolated from the Mediterranean, and both seas revealed similar evolutionary patterns related to climate change and changes in sea level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2016
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10. Effects of Natural and Anthropogenic Stressors on Fucalean Brown Seaweeds Across Different Spatial Scales in the Mediterranean Sea

Author

Sotiris Orfanidis, Fabio Rindi, Emma Cebrian, Simonetta Fraschetti, Ina Nasto, Ergun Taskin, Silvia Bianchelli, Vasileios Papathanasiou, Maria Kosmidou, Annalisa Caragnano, Soultana Tsioli, Stefano Ratti, Erika Fabbrizzi, Jana Verdura, Laura Tamburello, Sajmir Beqiraj, Lefter Kashta, Denada Sota, Apostolos Papadimitriou, Ezzeddine Mahmoudi, Hajdar Kiçaj, Konstantinos Georgiadis, Amel Hannachi, Roberto Danovaro, Orfanidis, S., Rindi, F., Cebrian, E., Fraschetti, S., Nasto, I., Taskin, E., Bianchelli, S., Papathanasiou, V., Kosmidou, M., Caragnano, A., Tsioli, S., Ratti, S., Fabbrizzi, E., Verdura, J., Tamburello, L., Beqiraj, S., Kashta, L., Sota, D., Papadimitriou, A., Mahmoudi, E., Kicaj, H., Georgiadis, K., Hannachi, A., and Danovaro, R.

Subjects
Mediterranean climate, RDA, Algues marines -- Conservació, Science, Ocean Engineering, Aquatic Science, Cystoseira, QH1-199.5, Oceanography, Mediterranean sea, Abundance (ecology), Transect, Algues marines -- Mediterrània, Mar, Life history, Water Science and Technology, Global and Planetary Change, Marine algae -- Conservation, biology, Ecology, Marine algae -- Mediterrània, Mar, Marine habitats, General. Including nature conservation, geographical distribution, Macroalgal forests, biology.organism_classification, PERMANOVA, Habitat destruction, Percentage cover, Spatial ecology, Environmental science, Macroalgal forest
Abstract

Este artículo contiene 14 páginas, 8 figuras, 3 tablas., Algal habitat-forming forests composed of fucalean brown seaweeds (Cystoseira, Ericaria, and Gongolaria) have severely declined along the Mediterranean coasts, endangering the maintenance of essential ecosystem services. Numerous factors determine the loss of these assemblages and operate at different spatial scales, which must be identified to plan conservation and restoration actions. To explore the critical stressors (natural and anthropogenic) that may cause habitat degradation, we investigated (a) the patterns of variability of fucalean forests in percentage cover (abundance) at three spatial scales (location, forest, transect) by visual estimates and or photographic sampling to identify relevant spatial scales of variation, (b) the correlation between semi-quantitative anthropogenic stressors, individually or cumulatively (MA-LUSI index), including natural stressors (confinement, sea urchin grazing), and percentage cover of functional groups (perennial, semi-perennial) at forest spatial scale. The results showed that impacts from mariculture and urbanization seem to be the main stressors affecting habitat-forming species. In particular, while mariculture, urbanization, and cumulative anthropogenic stress negatively correlated with the percentage cover of perennial fucalean species, the same stressors were positively correlated with the percentage cover of the semi-perennial Cystoseira compressa and C. compressa subsp. pustulata. Our results indicate that human impacts can determine spatial patterns in these fragmented and heterogeneous marine habitats, thus stressing the need of carefully considering scale-dependent ecological processes to support conservation and restoration., This study was supported by the European Union’s EASME (Executive Agency for Small and Medium Enterprise) and EMFF (European Maritime and Fisheries fund) as part of the project AFRIMED, “Algal Forest Restoration in the Mediterranean Sea” (under grant agreement no. 789059), http:// afrimed-project.eu/.

Published
2021

11. U/Th dating records of cold-water coral colonization in submarine canyons and adjacent sectors of the southern Adriatic Sea since the Last Glacial Maximum

Author

Edwige Pons-Branchu, Lorenzo Angeletti, Ina Nasto, Paolo Montagna, Marco Taviani, Federica Foglini, Cesare Corselli, Istituto di Scienze Marine [Bologna] (ISMAR), Istituto di Science Marine (ISMAR ), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR)-Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), CONISMA, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca [Milano] (UNIMIB), University of Vlora 'Ismail Qemali', Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement [Gif-sur-Yvette] (LSCE), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Paris-Saclay-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), Géochrononologie Traceurs Archéométrie (GEOTRAC), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Paris-Saclay-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Paris-Saclay-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), Université Paris-Saclay-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Paris-Saclay-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Paris-Saclay-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Taviani, M, Angeletti, L, Foglini, F, Corselli, C, Nasto, I, Pons-Branchu, E, Montagna, P, National Research Council of Italy | Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR)-National Research Council of Italy | Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca = University of Milano-Bicocca (UNIMIB), Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Paris-Saclay-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), and Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Paris-Saclay-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Paris-Saclay-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)

Subjects
0106 biological sciences, Canyons, 010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences, Coral, Canyon, Submarine canyon, Aquatic Science, Mediterranean, GEO/01 - PALEONTOLOGIA E PALEOECOLOGIA, Cold-water coral, 01 natural sciences, Lophelia, 14. Life underwater, Younger Dryas, [SDU.ENVI]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Continental interfaces, environment, U/Th dating, Holocene, ComputingMilieux_MISCELLANEOUS, 0105 earth and related environmental sciences, Madrepora oculata, [SDU.OCEAN]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Ocean, Atmosphere, geography, geography.geographical_feature_category, biology, Last Glacial Maximum, Sapropel S1, 010604 marine biology & hydrobiology, Southern Adriatic Sea, Geology, North Adriatic Dense Water, biology.organism_classification, Oceanography, Thermohaline circulation
Abstract

The deep southern Adriatic Sea is home of widespread cold-water coral colonization (Madrepora oculata, Lophelia pertusa, Desmophyllum dianthus) which is at present limited by large to its western (Apulian) margin and central part, including the Bari Canyon system. On the contrary, the eastern side is today almost deprived of significant coral growth and this asymmetrical distribution has been ascribed primarily to the action of the North Adriatic Dense Water (NAdDW) that impinges more efficiently on the Apulian margin. The collection of subfossil specimens of M. oculata, L. pertusa and D. dianthus provided the very first dates for cold-water coral colonization along the eastern margin. Once combined with known distribution of live cold-water corals and fossil occurrences in the southern Adriatic Sea, uranium-series dating provides evidence of (i) coral presence in the southeastern Adriatic during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), followed by (ii) a time of basin-wide colonization after the post-Last Glacial Maximum and encompassing the Younger Dryas, (iii) another time of undocumented coral presence with the onset of Sapropel S1. Perturbations of the thermohaline circulation in this sector of the Mediterranean basin might have governed the presence and demise of the resident cold-water coral populations interfering with strength and trajectories of main water masses. It is hypothesized that the achievement of the current asymmetrical distribution did occur since the end of S1 protracting to present time. The post-S1 reorganization likely brought to the current hydrological situation where the influence of NAdDW prevails in the western side and corals are doing at best on its trajectory. The scarcity of datable material makes the proposed scenario open to debate and in need of further supporting evidence.

Published
2019
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12. CARATTERIZZAZIONE DELLE COMUNITA A CORALLO DI ACQUA FREDDA NEL ADRIATICO MERIDIONALE

Author

NASTO, INA and Nasto, I

Subjects
Landmark, Coralli, Tomografia, scleractini, water, Adriatico, corals, BIO/07 - ECOLOGIA, Morfometria, Cold
Abstract

INTRODUZIONE GENERALE Le comunità di coralli di acqua fredda sono estremamente importanti per l'ecosistema bentonico. Essendo stato dichiarato un importante ecosistema sia per il valore ecologico che per quello economico, la proposta di questa tesi è quella di descrivere le comunità di coralli d'acqua fredda nell'Adriatico sud. Le attività di ricerca si sono concentrate su quattro diversi argomenti elencati di seguito. La fauna bentonica di Sessile associata al corallo sub-fossile dell'acqua fredda dall'Albania Questo studio presenta una descrizione preliminare della fauna associata al quadro corallo subfossile in due siti recentemente trovati in Albania. La Macrofauna è stata registrata durante due indagini di pesca sperimentali condotte nel marzo 2015 e nel maggio 2016 in due zone profonde della costa albanese, tra la profondità di 190 e 230 m. Sono stati analizzati campioni di coralli subfossili di Lophelia pertusa e Dendrophyllia cornigera per identificare la fauna associata. Sono state identificate 82 specie, 2 Foraminifera, 22 Porifera, 6 Cnidaria, 25 Mollusca, 14 Annelida, 1 Arthropoda, 11 Bryozoa, 1 Echinodermata, di cui 75 specie che sono nuovi record per la fauna albanese. Tutte le specie identificate sono state precedentemente riportate nelle aree coralline di Santa Maria di Leuca e Bari Canyon. Questo studio ha aggiornato la conoscenza della biodiversità del profondo mare Adriatico sudorientale, nonché della fauna marina albanese in particolare. Nuove informazioni ottenute per le specie di acque profonde confermano l'importante contributo del quadro di corallo dell'acqua fredda nella biodiversità del segnale acustico. Variazioni morfologiche spatiotemporali del Mediterraneo Lophelia pertusa. Per valutare se la variazione morfologica di L. pertusa segue un modello specifico basato su variabili ambientali (o altre), questo studio combina due differenti approcci morfometrici: la morfologia lineare lineare classica e l'utilizzo di punti di riferimento delle coordinate tridimensionali (landmarks). Gli obiettivi principali di questo studio sono quello di verificare l'esistenza di gruppi morfologici distinti all'interno della specie cosmopolita L. pertusa nel Mediterraneo e di individuare eventuali relazioni tra gruppi morfologici (sia nei coralli moderni che nei coralli fossili) e (paleo) delle condizioni oceanografiche. Applicazioni della tomografia computazionale a raggi X nello studio della morfologia della L. Pertusa. Lo scopo di questo lavoro è stato quello di confrontare 4 colonie di Lophelia pertusa corallo sub-fossile, provenienti dal Mediterraneo e dall'Atlantico orientale. I sottogruppi sono riferimenti importanti che testimoniano le condizioni ambientali del paleo-ambientale, pertanto il loro studio morfologico è un tema importante per l'ecologia. Lo scopo di questo è stato quello di indagare se esistono differenze veramente morfologiche tra queste quattro colonie Lophelia, sia nella morfologia dei coralli e nella loro organizzazione spaziale. La tomografia computerizzata dei campioni ci ha permesso di misurare alcune variabili scelte secondo le caratteristiche della specie. Datazione la morte dei coralli sclerattiniani profondi del mare sud-orientale Questa parte del mio studio riguarda la precisa datazione U / T di coralli morti provenienti provenienti da acque albanesi. Gli Smples furono ottenuti dall'Albania dalla crociera oceanografica CNR CoCoMap13 nel Mare Adriatico del sud-est e da una Lophelia pertusa colonia catturata durante le indagini di pesca sperimentali a nord della baia di Vlora. Lo scopo è di datare la presenza di CWC nelle acque profonde albanesi, valutando anche il tempo per l'insediamento e la scomparsa del CWC nel AdriATICO The present study regarding the Albanian CWC and associated biota consists of specific research activities focused on the four main topics listed below. Sessile benthic fauna associated with sub-fossil Cold Water Coral from off Albania This section presents a preliminary description of the fauna associated with sub-fossil coral framework in two sites recently found in off Albania. Macrofauna was recorded during two experimental fishing surveys conducted in March 2015 and May 2016 in two deep areas of the Albanian coast, between the depth of 190 to 230 m. Sub-fossil coral samples of L. pertusa and D. cornigera were analyzed to identify the associated fauna. A total of 82 species were identified, 2 Foraminifera, 22 Porifera, 6 Cnidaria, 25 Mollusca, 14 Annelida, 1 Arthropoda, 11 Bryozoa, 1 Echinodermata, including 75 species that are new records for the Albanian fauna. Morphological variations of Mediterranean Lophelia pertusa The main aims of this study are to test the existence of distinct morphological groups within the quasi-cosmopolitan species L. pertusa in the Mediterranean and to identify, if any, relationships between morphological groups (both in modern and fossil corals) and (paleo) oceanographic conditions. Applications of X-ray Computed Tomography in the morphometric study of the Adriatic Lophelia pertusa The aim of this analysis was to investigate whether there are really morphological differences between these four Lophelia colonies, both in the morphology of the corallites and in their spatial organization. Computed tomography made possible to measure some variables chosen according to the species's characteristics. Dating the Albanian Adriatic cold water corals This part of my study deals on the the precise U/Th dating of dead corals specimens sourced coming from Albanian waters. Smples were obtained off Albania by the oceanographic CNR CoCoMap13 cruise in the southeastern Adriatic Sea and one Lophelia pertusa colony caught during experimental fishing surveys in north of the Vlora Bay. The purpose is to time in the presence of CWC in Albanian deep waters, assessing also the tempo for CWC settlement and demise in the southern Adriatic Sea.

Published
2017

13. The challenge of setting restoration targets for macroalgal forests under climate changes.

Author

Fabbrizzi E, Giakoumi S, De Leo F, Tamburello L, Chiarore A, Colletti A, Coppola M, Munari M, Musco L, Rindi F, Rizzo L, Savinelli B, Franzitta G, Grech D, Cebrian E, Verdura J, Bianchelli S, Mangialajo L, Nasto I, Sota D, Orfanidis S, Papadopoulou NK, Danovaro R, and Fraschetti S

Subjects
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Forests
Abstract

The process of site selection and spatial planning has received scarce attention in the scientific literature dealing with marine restoration, suggesting the need to better address how spatial planning tools could guide restoration interventions. In this study, for the first time, the consequences of adopting different restoration targets and criteria on spatial restoration prioritization have been assessed at a regional scale, including the consideration of climate changes. We applied the decision-support tool Marxan, widely used in systematic conservation planning on Mediterranean macroalgal forests. The loss of this habitat has been largely documented, with limited evidences of natural recovery. Spatial priorities were identified under six planning scenarios, considering three main restoration targets to reflect the objectives of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. Results show that the number of suitable sites for restoration is very limited at basin scale, and targets are only achieved when the recovery of 10% of regressing and extinct macroalgal forests is planned. Increasing targets translates into including unsuitable areas for restoration in Marxan solutions, amplifying the risk of ineffective interventions. Our analysis supports macroalgal forests restoration and provides guiding principles and criteria to strengthen the effectiveness of restoration actions across habitats. The constraints in finding suitable areas for restoration are discussed, and recommendations to guide planning to support future restoration interventions are also included., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Published
2023
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14. Chaotic genetic structure and past demographic expansion of the invasive gastropod Tritia neritea in its native range, the Mediterranean Sea.

Author

Boissin E, Neglia V, Baksay S, Micu D, Bat L, Topaloglu B, Todorova V, Panayotova M, Kruschel C, Milchakova N, Voutsinas E, Beqiraj S, Nasto I, Aglieri G, Taviani M, Zane L, and Planes S

Subjects
Animals, Bayes Theorem, DNA, Mitochondrial genetics, Ecosystem, Genetics, Population, Mediterranean Sea, Population Growth, Gastropoda genetics, Introduced Species
Abstract

To better predict population evolution of invasive species in introduced areas it is critical to identify and understand the mechanisms driving genetic diversity and structure in their native range. Here, we combined analyses of the mitochondrial COI gene and 11 microsatellite markers to investigate both past demographic history and contemporaneous genetic structure in the native area of the gastropod Tritia neritea, using Bayesian skyline plots (BSP), multivariate analyses and Bayesian clustering. The BSP framework revealed population expansions, dated after the last glacial maximum. The haplotype network revealed a strong geographic clustering. Multivariate analyses and Bayesian clustering highlighted the strong genetic structure at all scales, between the Black Sea and the Adriatic Sea, but also within basins. Within basins, a random pattern of genetic patchiness was observed, suggesting a superimposition of processes involving natural biological effects (no larval phase and thus limited larval dispersal) and putative anthropogenic transport of specimens. Contrary to the introduced area, no isolation-by-distance patterns were recovered in the Mediterranean or the Black Seas, highlighting different mechanisms at play on both native and introduced areas, triggering unknown consequences for species' evolutionary trajectories. These results of Tritia neritea populations on its native range highlight a mixture of ancient and recent processes, with the effects of paleoclimates and life history traits likely tangled with the effects of human-mediated dispersal.

Published
2020
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15. Population genomics of an endemic Mediterranean fish: differentiation by fine scale dispersal and adaptation.

Author

Carreras C, Ordóñez V, Zane L, Kruschel C, Nasto I, Macpherson E, and Pascual M

Subjects
Adaptation, Physiological, Animals, Gene Flow, Mediterranean Sea, Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide, Sequence Analysis, DNA, Animal Distribution, Genetics, Population, Genome, Genotype, Perciformes genetics
Abstract

The assessment of the genetic structuring of biodiversity is crucial for management and conservation. For species with large effective population sizes a low number of markers may fail to identify population structure. A solution of this shortcoming can be high-throughput sequencing that allows genotyping thousands of markers on a genome-wide approach while facilitating the detection of genetic structuring shaped by selection. We used Genotyping-by-Sequencing (GBS) on 176 individuals of the endemic East Atlantic peacock wrasse (Symphodus tinca), from 6 locations in the Adriatic and Ionian seas. We obtained a total of 4,155 polymorphic SNPs and we observed two strong barriers to gene flow. The first one differentiated Tremiti Islands, in the northwest, from all the other locations while the second one separated east and south-west localities. Outlier SNPs potentially under positive selection and neutral SNPs both showed similar patterns of structuring, although finer scale differentiation was unveiled with outlier loci. Our results reflect the complexity of population genetic structure and demonstrate that both habitat fragmentation and positive selection are on play. This complexity should be considered in biodiversity assessments of different taxa, including non-model yet ecologically relevant organisms.

Published
2017
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16. Response of rocky shore communities to anthropogenic pressures in Albania (Mediterranean Sea): Ecological status assessment through the CARLIT method.

Author

Blanfuné A, Boudouresque CF, Verlaque M, Beqiraj S, Kashta L, Nasto I, Ruci S, and Thibaut T

Subjects
Albania, Animals, Human Activities, Mediterranean Sea, Sea Urchins, Ecology, Ecosystem
Abstract

The lower mid-littoral and shallow subtidal communities were studied in the district of Vlora (Albania), three years after the establishment of a Marine Protected Area, with particular attention to the long-lived species. The bioconstructions built in the mid-littoral zone by the calcified rhodobiont Lithophyllum byssoides were in poor condition and sometimes even dead. In contrast, the brown alga Cystoseira amentacea constituted lush stands. For assessing the ecological status of the studied area, the CARLIT method, based upon macroalgal communities, was applied. The observed range of ecological status was wide ('high' through 'bad') and was overall among the lowest assessed to date in the Mediterranean Sea. The occurrence of extensive sea-urchin barren-grounds, though not taken into consideration by the CARLIT index, confirmed the poor condition of large sectors of the study area. Overall, the CARLIT index is well correlated with anthropogenic pressures, as assessed by the LUSI index., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Published
2016
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