Ecological status of seagrass ecosystems: An uncertainty analysis of the meadow classification based on the Posidonia oceanica multivariate index (POMI)

2011 ◽  
Vol 62 (8) ◽  
pp. 1616-1621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Bennett ◽  
Guillem Roca ◽  
Javier Romero ◽  
Teresa Alcoverro
Keyword(s):  
Uncertainty Analysis ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Posidonia Oceanica ◽  
Seagrass Ecosystems

scholarly journals Seagrass ecosystems status between the sliding baseline syndrome and the need for reference conditions

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Montefalcone ◽  
Matteo Vacchi ◽  
Carla Morri ◽  
Marco Ferrari ◽  
Carlo Nike Bianchi
Keyword(s):  
Reference Conditions ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Posidonia Oceanica ◽  
Historical Information ◽  
Functional Changes ◽  
Seagrass Meadows ◽  
Long Term Changes ◽  
The Status ◽  
Seagrass Ecosystems

Marine coastal ecosystems are facing compositional and functional changes due to the increasing human footprint worldwide, and the assessment of their long-term changes becomes particularly challenging in this new "Anthropocene Epoch". Measures of change can be done by comparing the present ecosystem status to a defined baseline representing the reference condition. The "syndrome" of the sliding (or shifting) baselines, which describes the incremental lowering of ecological standards, has become a major concern when long-term changes have to be assessed because an already degraded environment status could be accepted as reference. The challenge of delineating ecosystems change in the context of sliding baselines is particularly relevant along highly anthropized coasts, as the case of the Liguria (NW Mediterranean Sea), where pristine coastal areas could not be expected anymore. The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD, 2008/56/EEC) suggests three approaches to define reference conditions: i) comparison with the status in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs); ii) use of historical information; iii) modelling. Here we report recent applications of these three approaches in Liguria to assess the status of seagrass meadow ecosystem. Ligurian MPAs are too recent and often insufficiently enforced, so that Posidonia oceanica meadows developing in MPAs are far from the expected good ecological status. Available historical information on seagrass distribution was sometime unreliable. Models are promising but face intellectual difficulties (e.g., choice of descriptors). Validating historical data with predictive models showed effective in delineating the trajectory of change experienced by the Ligurian seagrass meadows. Many meadows have been lost and most are showing structural degradation, which favoured the substitution by alien green algae of the genus Caulerpa and triggered a phase shift in the seagrass ecosystems, with the consequent loss of biodiversity, functioning and economic value of the ecosystem services provided by healthy meadows.

scholarly journals Seagrass ecosystems status between the sliding baseline syndrome and the need for reference conditions

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Montefalcone ◽  
Matteo Vacchi ◽  
Carla Morri ◽  
Marco Ferrari ◽  
Carlo Nike Bianchi
Keyword(s):  
Reference Conditions ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Posidonia Oceanica ◽  
Historical Information ◽  
Functional Changes ◽  
Seagrass Meadows ◽  
Long Term Changes ◽  
The Status ◽  
Seagrass Ecosystems

Marine coastal ecosystems are facing compositional and functional changes due to the increasing human footprint worldwide, and the assessment of their long-term changes becomes particularly challenging in this new "Anthropocene Epoch". Measures of change can be done by comparing the present ecosystem status to a defined baseline representing the reference condition. The "syndrome" of the sliding (or shifting) baselines, which describes the incremental lowering of ecological standards, has become a major concern when long-term changes have to be assessed because an already degraded environment status could be accepted as reference. The challenge of delineating ecosystems change in the context of sliding baselines is particularly relevant along highly anthropized coasts, as the case of the Liguria (NW Mediterranean Sea), where pristine coastal areas could not be expected anymore. The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD, 2008/56/EEC) suggests three approaches to define reference conditions: i) comparison with the status in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs); ii) use of historical information; iii) modelling. Here we report recent applications of these three approaches in Liguria to assess the status of seagrass meadow ecosystem. Ligurian MPAs are too recent and often insufficiently enforced, so that Posidonia oceanica meadows developing in MPAs are far from the expected good ecological status. Available historical information on seagrass distribution was sometime unreliable. Models are promising but face intellectual difficulties (e.g., choice of descriptors). Validating historical data with predictive models showed effective in delineating the trajectory of change experienced by the Ligurian seagrass meadows. Many meadows have been lost and most are showing structural degradation, which favoured the substitution by alien green algae of the genus Caulerpa and triggered a phase shift in the seagrass ecosystems, with the consequent loss of biodiversity, functioning and economic value of the ecosystem services provided by healthy meadows.

scholarly journals Monitoring of marine phanerogams’ habitats and assessment of areas exposed to anchoring in the International Marine Park of Bonifacio (Sardinia Area)

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Cossu ◽  
Mario De Luca ◽  
Yuri Donno
Keyword(s):  
Direct Method ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Posidonia Oceanica ◽  
Monitoring And Control ◽  
Area Index ◽  
Marine Park ◽  
Minimum Requirements ◽  
Marine Areas ◽  
The Impact

The International Marine Park of the Strait of Bonifacio and the National Park of La Maddalena have started a series of investigations in the marine areas under their jurisdiction. Through the European project, GECT (European Group of Territorial Cooperation), studies have been carried out to define the type, the structural characteristics of the Posidonia oceanica seagrass and to evaluate the impact of dropping anchors. The study, carried out by a team of experts from the institutions named above, used shared methodologies in relation to the same type of challenges and problems. The study areas on the Sardinian side were Passo Asinelli pass, Porto della Madonna harbor and Cala Portese cove. For each site two stations were identified, a monitoring and a control one. The type of meadow, its morphological and structural characteristics (matte, rocks, degree of fragmentation, height of matte, etc.) and the possible presence of marks/signs caused by the dropping of anchors were assessed in selected areas. The compactness of the matte, estimated using a penetrometer, the percentage of seabed covered by the plant and density were assessed by direct method by divers. The results for the leaf density show the meadows are in regression; however, there are better conditions in Porto Madonna where the monitoring and control stations show density near to normal values. Particularly low values were measured in Passo Asinelli where, despite prohibitions, the high pressure of tourism generates stress to the plant formation. The leaf standing crop, the leaf area index and measures penetrometric lead to conclusions almost similar indicating best ecological conditions in Porto Madonna, confirming previous results. The indicators used show an ecological status of lesser quality for the sites of both Passo Asinelli and, more visible, of Cala Portese. Porto Madonna, on the other hand, shows values equal to the minimum requirements for a meadow surface.

scholarly journals Seagrass of Vasiliko Bay, Eastern Mediterranean: Lost Cause or Priority Conservation Habitat?

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 717
Author(s):  
Demetris Kletou ◽  
Periklis Kleitou ◽  
Ioannis Savva ◽  
Martin J. Attrill ◽  
Stephanos Charalambous ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Area ◽  
Multiple Stressors ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Fish Farming ◽  
Posidonia Oceanica ◽  
Shoot Density ◽  
Fish Farms ◽  
Leaf Surface Area ◽  
Marine Fish Farming

Mediterranean coasts are affected by multiple mounting pressures. In Cyprus, marine fish farming has grown rapidly in the past decade and is concentrated in the west side of Vasiliko Bay. The east coast of this bay has ports, a power station, a desalination unit, a cement factory, a major new oil terminal, and gas storage facilities. The bay is earmarked to create the largest hydrocarbon processing, storing, and transport facility in the region. Here, we assess the status of Posidonia oceanica habitat in an understudied region at the upper thermal, and eastern limit, of this Mediterranean endemic seagrass. An extensive ancient seagrass meadow was revealed, covering about 200 ha across 10 km of coastline, over soft substrata at ca 10–30 m depth, and over hard substrata at ca 0–6 m depth. Seagrass shoot density and leaf surface area decreased, both with increasing depth and with proximity to industrial developments; part of the meadow had been destroyed by dredging to build a jetty. Close to fish farms the seagrass had higher epiphytic biomass as well as lower leaf number, mass, and surface area, all of which indicate adverse effects of eutrophication and increased turbidity. Despite these multiple stressors, most of the meadow was in good ecological status, with some of the highest shoot densities ever reported. Furthermore, iconic species like sea turtles, monk seals, and dolphins were seen during sampling. Posidonia oceanica meadows off Cyprus are among the most valuable in the Mediterranean due to their tolerance of high seawater temperatures. Managers of future coastal developments in the region will need to adhere to European legislation and international conventions designed to secure the socioeconomic benefits of seagrass beds.

scholarly journals Recent monitoring data of Posidonia oceanica meadows distributed along the Apulian coasts (Eastern-Central Mediterranean Sea) according to the 2000/60 EC Directive

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaetano Costantino ◽  
Nicola Ungaro ◽  
Massimo Blonda ◽  
Marina Mariani ◽  
Daniela Battista ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adriatic Sea ◽  
National Level ◽  
Reference Conditions ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Posidonia Oceanica ◽  
Ionian Sea ◽  
Ecological Data ◽  
Central Mediterranean ◽  
Italian Law ◽  
Sampling Procedures

According to the Water Framework Directive (WFD), a specific monitoring of Posidonia oceanica meadows was carried out along the Apulian coasts by the Regional Agency for the Environmental Prevention and Protection (ARPA Puglia). A total of 17 sites, 11 in the Southern Adriatic Sea and 6 in the Northern Ionian Sea were investigated during two consecutive monitoring cycles (2009-2011 and 2012-2014). Sampling procedures as well as laboratory analyses (phenology and lepidochronology) were carried out according to a common methodological protocol shared at Italian national level (D.M. 260/2010) for the final ecological classification (sensu WFD) using the PREI index. In each meadow, two sampling stations were investigated by scuba divers at the fixed depth of 15 m and in correspondence of the lower bathymetric distribution limit. For each station, 9 shoots counting (40x40 cm square) and 3 covering estimates (around 5 m of radius) were carried out. In addition, 18 orthotropic shoots and a sediment sample were collected as well as some other bio-ecological data (meadow continuity, dead matte presence, bottom type, invasive algae presence, flowering, disturbance sources, lower limit type and depth). The results showed that 29% of sites were classified as “GOOD”, 59% were classified as ”MODERATE” while the remaining 12% as “POOR”, with a general slight improvement of the classification in the last monitoring cycle (2012-2014). Although the ecological quality status of the Apulian Posidonia oceanica meadows (summarized by the PREI index values) reflects the distribution of anthropic pressures on the coast (harbours, industrial and urbanized areas, river’s outlets) along a latitudinal gradient, the classification based on the rules (reference conditions and EQR boundaries for the PREI index) reported in the Italian law (D.M. 260/2010) seems to underestimate the real ecological status. Consequently, a revision of both the actual reference conditions and EQR boundaries is suggested for the BQE Posidonia oceanica in the Apulian marine waters, in order to taking account of the environmental features of two different marine basins as the south-western Adriatic Sea and the north-western Ionian Sea.

scholarly journals Descriptors from Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile meadows in coastal waters of Valencia, Spain, in the context of the EU Water Framework Directive

2008 ◽  
Vol 65 (8) ◽  
pp. 1492-1497 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yolanda Fernández-Torquemada ◽  
Marta Díaz-Valdés ◽  
Francisco Colilla ◽  
Beatriz Luna ◽  
José Luis Sánchez-Lizaso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Framework Directive ◽  
Coastal Waters ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Independent Set ◽  
Posidonia Oceanica ◽  
Shoot Density ◽  
Eu Water Framework Directive ◽  
Anthropogenic Pressures ◽  
Consistent Information ◽  
The Eu

Abstract Fernández-Torquemada, Y., Díaz-Valdés, M., Colilla, F., Luna, B., Sánchez-Lizaso, J. L., and Ramos-Esplá, A. A. 2008. Descriptors from Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile meadows in coastal waters of Valencia, Spain, in the context of the EU Water Framework Directive. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 1492–1497. Evaluations are provided of 21 descriptors of Posidonia oceanica meadows along the coast of Valencia, Spain, with a view to using these in implementing the European Water Framework Directive (WFD). The descriptors selected are known to respond to a variety of anthropogenic disturbances. Data were collected at 17 locations during three consecutive years. A principal components analysis was used to classify the ecological status of each locality according to five classes as prescribed by the WFD. To identify the descriptors that contributed most to similarity among localities within each class and to dissimilarity between adjacent classes, a similarity percentage analysis was performed. We also correlated the descriptors with an independent set of indicators for various types of anthropogenic pressures on the water bodies associated with the different localities. The descriptors providing the most consistent information on status as well as demonstrating a significant relationship with estimated pressures were: shoot density, shoot foliar surface, dead-matte cover, meadow cover, herbivore pressure, rhizome baring/burial, foliar necrosis, percentage of plagiotropic rhizomes, and leaf-epiphyte biomass.

scholarly journals Assessment of the ecological status of Mediterranean French coastal waters as required by the Water Framework Directive using the Posidonia oceanica Rapid Easy Index: PREI

2009 ◽  
Vol 58 (11) ◽  
pp. 1727-1733 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvie Gobert ◽  
Stéphane Sartoretto ◽  
Valérie Rico-Raimondino ◽  
Bruno Andral ◽  
Aurelia Chery ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Framework Directive ◽  
Coastal Waters ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Posidonia Oceanica

scholarly journals Recent monitoring data of Posidonia oceanica meadows distributed along the Apulian coasts (Eastern-Central Mediterranean Sea) according to the 2000/60 EC Directive

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaetano Costantino ◽  
Nicola Ungaro ◽  
Massimo Blonda ◽  
Marina Mariani ◽  
Daniela Battista ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adriatic Sea ◽  
National Level ◽  
Reference Conditions ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Posidonia Oceanica ◽  
Ionian Sea ◽  
Ecological Data ◽  
Central Mediterranean ◽  
Italian Law ◽  
Sampling Procedures

According to the Water Framework Directive (WFD), a specific monitoring of Posidonia oceanica meadows was carried out along the Apulian coasts by the Regional Agency for the Environmental Prevention and Protection (ARPA Puglia). A total of 17 sites, 11 in the Southern Adriatic Sea and 6 in the Northern Ionian Sea were investigated during two consecutive monitoring cycles (2009-2011 and 2012-2014). Sampling procedures as well as laboratory analyses (phenology and lepidochronology) were carried out according to a common methodological protocol shared at Italian national level (D.M. 260/2010) for the final ecological classification (sensu WFD) using the PREI index. In each meadow, two sampling stations were investigated by scuba divers at the fixed depth of 15 m and in correspondence of the lower bathymetric distribution limit. For each station, 9 shoots counting (40x40 cm square) and 3 covering estimates (around 5 m of radius) were carried out. In addition, 18 orthotropic shoots and a sediment sample were collected as well as some other bio-ecological data (meadow continuity, dead matte presence, bottom type, invasive algae presence, flowering, disturbance sources, lower limit type and depth). The results showed that 29% of sites were classified as “GOOD”, 59% were classified as ”MODERATE” while the remaining 12% as “POOR”, with a general slight improvement of the classification in the last monitoring cycle (2012-2014). Although the ecological quality status of the Apulian Posidonia oceanica meadows (summarized by the PREI index values) reflects the distribution of anthropic pressures on the coast (harbours, industrial and urbanized areas, river’s outlets) along a latitudinal gradient, the classification based on the rules (reference conditions and EQR boundaries for the PREI index) reported in the Italian law (D.M. 260/2010) seems to underestimate the real ecological status. Consequently, a revision of both the actual reference conditions and EQR boundaries is suggested for the BQE Posidonia oceanica in the Apulian marine waters, in order to taking account of the environmental features of two different marine basins as the south-western Adriatic Sea and the north-western Ionian Sea.

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