We sampled macroalgal assemblages on 37 rocky outcrops in the northern Adriatic over the last 2 decades by SCUBA. Macroalgal assemblages were rich (173 taxa), but there was high variability in the number of species and coverage. The morphology of the outcrops, the distance from the coast and the depth were identified as the main factors accounting for this variability. Both the mean total algal coverage (14.8%) and encrusting layer coverage (8.0%) were low when compared to typical Mediterranean coralligenous habitats. Four main groups of algal assemblages were distinguished on the basis of their species composition and coverage. Groups 1 and 3 were located inshore off the Lido inlet and south of it, and had, respectively, low or intermediate total algal cover. Group 2 included outcrops situated offshore from the Venice lagoon along with all outcrops off the Grado-Marano lagoon; these had the highest total algal cover. Finally, group 4 included assemblages comprising algae that were widespread on outcrops in the inshore habitats of the Venice lagoon, between Malamocco and Chioggia inlets. Offshore outcrops subject to low turbidity and eutrophication levels had several characteristic Mediterranean coralligenous taxa.

Species composition and spatial variability of macroalgal assemblages on biogenic reefs in the northern Adriatic Sea

FALACE, Annalisa;KALEB, SARA;
2012-01-01

Abstract

We sampled macroalgal assemblages on 37 rocky outcrops in the northern Adriatic over the last 2 decades by SCUBA. Macroalgal assemblages were rich (173 taxa), but there was high variability in the number of species and coverage. The morphology of the outcrops, the distance from the coast and the depth were identified as the main factors accounting for this variability. Both the mean total algal coverage (14.8%) and encrusting layer coverage (8.0%) were low when compared to typical Mediterranean coralligenous habitats. Four main groups of algal assemblages were distinguished on the basis of their species composition and coverage. Groups 1 and 3 were located inshore off the Lido inlet and south of it, and had, respectively, low or intermediate total algal cover. Group 2 included outcrops situated offshore from the Venice lagoon along with all outcrops off the Grado-Marano lagoon; these had the highest total algal cover. Finally, group 4 included assemblages comprising algae that were widespread on outcrops in the inshore habitats of the Venice lagoon, between Malamocco and Chioggia inlets. Offshore outcrops subject to low turbidity and eutrophication levels had several characteristic Mediterranean coralligenous taxa.
2012
Pubblicato
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
2012 species composition.pdf

Accesso chiuso

Descrizione: versione editoriale
Tipologia: Documento in Versione Editoriale
Licenza: Digital Rights Management non definito
Dimensione 843.68 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
843.68 kB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia
abstract trezze.doc

Accesso chiuso

Tipologia: Abstract
Licenza: Digital Rights Management non definito
Dimensione 20.5 kB
Formato Microsoft Word
20.5 kB Microsoft Word   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia
Pubblicazioni consigliate

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11368/2763702
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 19
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 16
social impact