1 research outputs found
Testing methods to support management decisions in coralligenous and cave environments. A case study at Portofino MPA
12 páginas, 3 tablas, 6 figuras.Baseline data on the distribution, condition and extent of coralligenous and cave bioconcretions is one of
the main requirements of the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) necessary to assess
the achievement of a Good Environmental Status (GES) by 2020. In this study the potential of remote
sensing and distribution modelling techniques to map, measure descriptors and choose indicators were
tested, that could provide standard methods for the assessment of the health status and assist in
monitoring activities. It is demonstrated how, by combining different methodologies, it is possible to
map the distribution of the bioconcretions with acceptable accuracy and to discriminate the main habitat
types and facies. In addition, zonal statistical analysis revealed that fishing activities primarily coincide
with areas of high coverage of the bioconcretions. Results demonstrate that the presented methodology
is a valuable simple tool to assess several MSFD descriptors and indicators, and could strengthen management
efficiency when making informed, ecologically relevant decisions.This research was funded by the European project “Training
Network for Monitoring Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas”
(MMMPA: FP7-PEOPLE-2011-ITN, Grant Agreement no.: 290056)
and 2010e11 PRIN project “Coastal bioconstructions: structures,
functions, and management” prot. 2010Z8HJ5M_003.Peer reviewe