scholarly journals Assessment of Posidonia oceanica status along the north Croatian coast (Adriatic Sea)

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Guala ◽  
Ljiljana Iveša ◽  
Patrik Krstinić ◽  
Zrinka Jakl ◽  
Milena Šijan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limit ◽  
Adriatic Sea ◽  
Posidonia Oceanica ◽  
Shoot Density ◽  
Monitoring Programme ◽  
Habitats Directive ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Northern Adriatic ◽  
National Monitoring ◽  
The North

Monitoring of Posidonia oceanica was carried out in the framework of the MedMPAnet Project in eight meadows not formerly explored in an area along the north coast of Croatia (Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Northern Adriatic Sea). The survey was aimed to collect preliminary data as a baseline for future surveillance cycles of the priority habitat 1120 "Posidonia beds" within the framework of the National Monitoring Programme, according to the requirements of the EU Habitats Directive. Fieldwork was carried out in 2013 and 2014 through direct SCUBA diving surveys. At each site, general information on coastal features and potential human pressures was recorded and the following descriptors of meadow conditions were assessed at three depth ranges: shoot density, percent coverage of Posidonia oceanica, dead matte and substrate type; depth and type of lower limits were also recorded for each meadow. Two meadows, located in the island of Rab (Uvala Planka and Frkanj), were investigated during both years of survey in order to test any differences due to the methodological approach we used. Overall, results indicated signs of distress for several meadows. Density ranged from 355±22 to 629±21 shoot per m2 at shallow stations (<10 m depth), from 141±8 to 324±23 shoot per m2 at intermediate depth (about 15 m), and from 79±5 to 157±10 shoot per m2 at the lower limit. Regression was also testified by high coverage of dead matte (locally >40%) especially at the lower limit, which was regressive in four meadows and in no case did it exceed 27 meters in depth. The temporal comparison provided consistent results between the two years for investigation of shoot density, at all sites and throughout the bathymetric range. However, some changes were detected in the deepest portions of both meadows in the coverage of Posidonia oceanica (lower than 50% in 2014). Further monitoring and research campaigns are recommended to improve the level of knowledge on the status of meadows in this area, to develop a baseline for assessing trends on a long-term temporal scale as requested by Habitats Directive, and to shed light on the relevance of both environmental and anthropogenic factors in determining the health status of the meadows. Intercalibration among operators is also suggested to ensure reliable data in implementing the National Monitoring Programme.

scholarly journals Assessment of Posidonia oceanica status along the north Croatian coast (Adriatic Sea)

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Guala ◽  
Ljiljana Iveša ◽  
Patrik Krstinić ◽  
Zrinka Jakl ◽  
Milena Šijan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limit ◽  
Adriatic Sea ◽  
Posidonia Oceanica ◽  
Shoot Density ◽  
Monitoring Programme ◽  
Habitats Directive ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Northern Adriatic ◽  
National Monitoring ◽  
The North

Monitoring of Posidonia oceanica was carried out in the framework of the MedMPAnet Project in eight meadows not formerly explored in an area along the north coast of Croatia (Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Northern Adriatic Sea). The survey was aimed to collect preliminary data as a baseline for future surveillance cycles of the priority habitat 1120 "Posidonia beds" within the framework of the National Monitoring Programme, according to the requirements of the EU Habitats Directive. Fieldwork was carried out in 2013 and 2014 through direct SCUBA diving surveys. At each site, general information on coastal features and potential human pressures was recorded and the following descriptors of meadow conditions were assessed at three depth ranges: shoot density, percent coverage of Posidonia oceanica, dead matte and substrate type; depth and type of lower limits were also recorded for each meadow. Two meadows, located in the island of Rab (Uvala Planka and Frkanj), were investigated during both years of survey in order to test any differences due to the methodological approach we used. Overall, results indicated signs of distress for several meadows. Density ranged from 355±22 to 629±21 shoot per m2 at shallow stations (<10 m depth), from 141±8 to 324±23 shoot per m2 at intermediate depth (about 15 m), and from 79±5 to 157±10 shoot per m2 at the lower limit. Regression was also testified by high coverage of dead matte (locally >40%) especially at the lower limit, which was regressive in four meadows and in no case did it exceed 27 meters in depth. The temporal comparison provided consistent results between the two years for investigation of shoot density, at all sites and throughout the bathymetric range. However, some changes were detected in the deepest portions of both meadows in the coverage of Posidonia oceanica (lower than 50% in 2014). Further monitoring and research campaigns are recommended to improve the level of knowledge on the status of meadows in this area, to develop a baseline for assessing trends on a long-term temporal scale as requested by Habitats Directive, and to shed light on the relevance of both environmental and anthropogenic factors in determining the health status of the meadows. Intercalibration among operators is also suggested to ensure reliable data in implementing the National Monitoring Programme.

scholarly journals Assessment of Posidonia oceanica status along the north Croatian coast (Adriatic Sea)

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Guala ◽  
Ljiljana Iveša ◽  
Patrik Krstinić ◽  
Zrinka Jakl ◽  
Milena Šijan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limit ◽  
Adriatic Sea ◽  
Posidonia Oceanica ◽  
Shoot Density ◽  
Monitoring Programme ◽  
Habitats Directive ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Northern Adriatic ◽  
National Monitoring ◽  
The North

Monitoring of Posidonia oceanica was carried out in the framework of the MedMPAnet Project in eight meadows not formerly explored in an area along the north coast of Croatia (Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Northern Adriatic Sea). The survey was aimed to collect preliminary data as a baseline for future surveillance cycles of the priority habitat 1120 "Posidonia beds" within the framework of the National Monitoring Programme, according to the requirements of the EU Habitats Directive. Fieldwork was carried out in 2013 and 2014 through direct SCUBA diving surveys. At each site, general information on coastal features and potential human pressures was recorded and the following descriptors of meadow conditions were assessed at three depth ranges: shoot density, percent coverage of Posidonia oceanica, dead matte and substrate type; depth and type of lower limits were also recorded for each meadow. Two meadows, located in the island of Rab (Uvala Planka and Frkanj), were investigated during both years of survey in order to test any differences due to the methodological approach we used. Overall, results indicated signs of distress for several meadows. Density ranged from 355±22 to 629±21 shoot per m2 at shallow stations (<10 m depth), from 141±8 to 324±23 shoot per m2 at intermediate depth (about 15 m), and from 79±5 to 157±10 shoot per m2 at the lower limit. Regression was also testified by high coverage of dead matte (locally >40%) especially at the lower limit, which was regressive in four meadows and in no case did it exceed 27 meters in depth. The temporal comparison provided consistent results between the two years for investigation of shoot density, at all sites and throughout the bathymetric range. However, some changes were detected in the deepest portions of both meadows in the coverage of Posidonia oceanica (lower than 50% in 2014). Further monitoring and research campaigns are recommended to improve the level of knowledge on the status of meadows in this area, to develop a baseline for assessing trends on a long-term temporal scale as requested by Habitats Directive, and to shed light on the relevance of both environmental and anthropogenic factors in determining the health status of the meadows. Intercalibration among operators is also suggested to ensure reliable data in implementing the National Monitoring Programme.

scholarly journals Marine Seagrasses Transplantation in Confined and Coastal Adriatic Environments: Methods and Results

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 2289
Author(s):  
Daniele Curiel ◽  
Sandra Kraljević Pavelić ◽  
Agata Kovačev ◽  
Chiara Miotti ◽  
Andrea Rismondo
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Zostera Marina ◽  
Adriatic Sea ◽  
Posidonia Oceanica ◽  
Cymodocea Nodosa ◽  
Anthropogenic Pressures ◽  
Northern Adriatic Sea ◽  
Northern Adriatic ◽  
The North ◽  
Over Time

The anthropogenic pressures of the twentieth century have seriously endangered the Mediterranean coastal zone; as a consequence, marine seagrass habitats have strongly retreated, mostly those of Posidonia oceanica. For this reason, over time, restoration programs have been put in place through transplantation activities, with different success. These actions have also been conducted with other Mediterranean marine seagrasses. The results of numerous transplanting operations conducted in the Northern Adriatic Sea and lagoons with Cymodocea nodosa, Zostera marina and Z. noltei and in the Central and Southern Adriatic Sea with P. oceanica (only within the project Interreg SASPAS), are herein presented and compared, taking also into account the presence of extensive meadows of C. nodosa, Z. marina and Z. noltei, along the North Adriatic coasts and lagoons.

scholarly journals Effect of dredging activities on the health status of Posidonia oceanica meadows along the north Latium coast (Tyrrhenian Sea)

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Gnisci ◽  
Simone Bonamano ◽  
Carla Micheli ◽  
Selvaggia Cognetti de Martiis ◽  
Viviana Piermattei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Sedimentation Rate ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Posidonia Oceanica ◽  
Shoot Density ◽  
Habitats Directive ◽  
Tyrrhenian Sea ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
The North ◽  
Shoot Number

Coastal areas are characterized by several disturbances due to the presence of numerous anthropic activities that may alter the health status and ecological functioning of Posidonia oceanica meadows. The reduction of seawater transparency and the increase of sedimentation rate are among the main causes of their regression. This work is focused on the northern Latium coast (Central Tyrrhenian Sea), from Marina di Tarquinia to Santa Severa. Over time, alteration of river run-off (change in land use, captation along rivers, etc.) and dredging activities carried out within the Civitavecchia harbour, have led to the dispersion of a large amount of fine materials in the marine environment. In this area, four Sites of Community Importance were identified according to the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), due to the presence of P. oceanica beds. Meadows are fragmented and discontinuous also because the high geomorphological heterogeneity. The aim of this work has been to evaluate the effects of the reduction of seawater transparency and the alteration of sedimentation rate on the meadows due to dredging activities. The evaluation of meadows health status from 2002 to 2013 was performed by structural (shoot density and coverage) and functional (leaf biometry) standard descriptors analysis. In the same period, the water transparency and the sedimentation rate have been analysed using numerical models able to distinguish between river and dredging contributions. The simulations of dredged sediments transport have highlighted as the plume is transported mainly to the north, with high concentration values near the shoreline; for this reason the evaluations of shoot density of P. oceanica meadows located near the harbour and far from the coast have not shown a decrease over the years. In the meadow further north, where the concentration of dredged suspended materials is decreasing, the reduction in shoot number is mainly due to the sediment plumes of the Marta and Mignone rivers.

scholarly journals Effect of dredging activities on the health status of Posidonia oceanica meadows along the north Latium coast (Tyrrhenian Sea)

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Gnisci ◽  
Simone Bonamano ◽  
Carla Micheli ◽  
Selvaggia Cognetti de Martiis ◽  
Viviana Piermattei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Sedimentation Rate ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Posidonia Oceanica ◽  
Shoot Density ◽  
Habitats Directive ◽  
Tyrrhenian Sea ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
The North ◽  
Shoot Number

Coastal areas are characterized by several disturbances due to the presence of numerous anthropic activities that may alter the health status and ecological functioning of Posidonia oceanica meadows. The reduction of seawater transparency and the increase of sedimentation rate are among the main causes of their regression. This work is focused on the northern Latium coast (Central Tyrrhenian Sea), from Marina di Tarquinia to Santa Severa. Over time, alteration of river run-off (change in land use, captation along rivers, etc.) and dredging activities carried out within the Civitavecchia harbour, have led to the dispersion of a large amount of fine materials in the marine environment. In this area, four Sites of Community Importance were identified according to the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), due to the presence of P. oceanica beds. Meadows are fragmented and discontinuous also because the high geomorphological heterogeneity. The aim of this work has been to evaluate the effects of the reduction of seawater transparency and the alteration of sedimentation rate on the meadows due to dredging activities. The evaluation of meadows health status from 2002 to 2013 was performed by structural (shoot density and coverage) and functional (leaf biometry) standard descriptors analysis. In the same period, the water transparency and the sedimentation rate have been analysed using numerical models able to distinguish between river and dredging contributions. The simulations of dredged sediments transport have highlighted as the plume is transported mainly to the north, with high concentration values near the shoreline; for this reason the evaluations of shoot density of P. oceanica meadows located near the harbour and far from the coast have not shown a decrease over the years. In the meadow further north, where the concentration of dredged suspended materials is decreasing, the reduction in shoot number is mainly due to the sediment plumes of the Marta and Mignone rivers.

scholarly journals Organic enrichment and structure of the macrozoobenthic community in the northern Adriatic Sea in an area facing Adige and Po mouths

2004 ◽  
Vol 61 (6) ◽  
pp. 871-881 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Simonini ◽  
I. Ansaloni ◽  
A.M. Bonvicini Pagliai ◽  
D. Prevedelli
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Adriatic Sea ◽  
Coastal Areas ◽  
Organic Enrichment ◽  
Northern Adriatic ◽  
Opportunistic Species ◽  
Species Richness And Diversity ◽  
The North ◽  
North Western ◽  
Macrozoobenthic Community

Abstract The structure of the macrozoobenthic community and the vertical distribution of organisms in the sediment were studied in order to assess the effects of river outflows and organic enrichment on the benthic community of the North Adriatic Sea. Sampling was carried out at one offshore sandy station (S3) and at two coastal muddy stations (S1 and S2), near to river Po and Adige deltas. Samples were collected in four surveys covering one year from April 1995 to January 1996. In all surveys, the offshore sandy station showed a complex trophic structure, high species richness and diversity, with the occurrence of tubicolous or burrowing polychaetes like Nothria conchylega, Aponuphis bilineata, Maldane sarsi, Nematonereis unicornis and Eunice vittata, which also colonized the deeper sediment layers. On the other hand, the coastal muddy stations both exhibited similar species composition and a great abundance of dominant, opportunistic species such as the bivalve Corbula gibba, typical of unstable sea bottoms with a high rate of sedimentation, and some polychaetes typical of sublittoral muddy bottoms such as Levinsenia gracilis, Aricidea claudiae, Prionospio malmgreni, Sternaspis scutata and P. cirrifera. The high density of a few opportunistic species (mainly surface-deposit feeders) and the scant penetration of organisms within sediments that characterized the stations S1 and S2 support other evidence of the eutrophication of the coastal areas of the north-western Adriatic Sea. However, the high biomass values, the species richness and diversity observed in S1 and S2 suggest the occurrence of less extreme conditions than at other highly-eutrophicated coastal areas. River outflows, eutrophication and, especially, the increasing frequency of acute dystrophic events may be recognized as the driving forces determining the structure and composition of the macrozoobenthic community at coastal areas of north-western Adriatic Sea.

scholarly journals European Transport Corridors and North Adriatic Ports

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Helena Bínová ◽  
◽  
Martin Jurkovič
Keyword(s):  
Financial Support ◽  
Central And Eastern Europe ◽  
Adriatic Sea ◽  
Far East ◽  
Northern Adriatic Sea ◽  
Northern Adriatic ◽  
The North ◽  
The Far East ◽  
Sea Ports ◽  
The Eu

From the ports in the northern Adriatic Sea (ports of Ravenna, Venezia, Trieste, Koper, Rijeka) a route from European ports of North Sea to the Far East is shorter by about 2000 nautical miles. It means a reduction of 6 to 8 days in shipping. These ports are reachable from commercial and industrial centers of Central and Eastern Europe. An assessment of the current situation and future development of the European transport corridors North - South, including possible interconnection by multimodal corridors Baltic ports in the north and Adriatic ports in the south, is included in this paper. This corridor is one of the ten basic corridors included in the new conception of the TEN-T European transport network with the assumption of financial support from the EU in the period of 2014-2020. Further, the paper also includes an analysis of a modal assessment (Modal Split) of transport connections of Central Europe with the Far East. The heart of the paper is a proposal of connection of chosen seaports that serve as logistics terminals to current European multimodal corridors and further to proposed multimodal corridors.

Variations in Posidonia oceanica meadow structure along the coast of the Dugi Otok Island (eastern Adriatic Sea)

2008 ◽  
Vol 88 (5) ◽  
pp. 883-892 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petar Kru΂ić
Keyword(s):  
Adriatic Sea ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Outer Part ◽  
Posidonia Oceanica ◽  
Shoot Density ◽  
The Other ◽  
Impact Factors ◽  
Index Number ◽  
Area Index ◽  
The Status

Although the anthropogenic impact on Posidonia oceanica meadows in the Mediterranean Sea has been studied over the last few decades, the data about the status of this endemic magnoliophyte are scarcer from the Adriatic Sea. Samples of P. oceanica meadows were collected in June and July 2004 using SCUBA diving at 8 sites in the area of the Dugi Otok Island, all at depths of 10 m. The meadow's shoot density was measured, and shoots were collected to be examined and compared through number of leaves per shoot, leaf surface per shoot, leaf area index, number and biomass of taxa of epiphytic flora. Significant differences in P. oceanica meadow structure were found among investigated sites, especially between sites in the vicinity of the fish farm and the other sites. Meadow density decreased at sites in the Dugi Otok channel and the main impact factors seem to be the input of organic matter, originating from the fish cages and sewage input. These human activities are a source of nutrient pollution and stimulate blooms of phytoplankton and higher algae. The sea grass meadow vitality seems to be more negatively affected in the channel. The highest values of shoot density were recorded at investigated sites VR and ME at the outer part of the Dugi Otok Island. The shoot density was very low at site FU, situated in the channel. Biomass of the epiphytic algae exhibited the highest values at the site FU, while at the other investigated sites the values were significantly lower. Concerning the epiphytic macroflora, a total of 55 taxa of epiphytic macroalgae were identified and the class Rhodophyta dominated in all samples. The present study shows the high differences in morphological and structural characteristics of Posidonia oceanica meadows among various sites with and without anthropogenic influence.

scholarly journals Correlation between tides of northern Adriatic sea and hydrodynamics of the karstic aquifer in the Pozzo dei Protei di Monfalcone (Classical Karst)

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rino Semerraro ◽  
Federico Valentinuz ◽  
Maurizio Tavagnutti
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Groundwater Level ◽  
Adriatic Sea ◽  
Salt Water ◽  
Karst Aquifer ◽  
Chloride Ion ◽  
Northern Adriatic Sea ◽  
Northern Adriatic ◽  
The North ◽  
Mineralized Water

The Pozzo dei Protei di Monfalcone (northeast Italy) is a cavity developed in Cretaceous limestones (Cenomanian-Turonian) situated near the contact of the north-western zone of the Classical Karst with the Lower Plain of the Isonzo/Soča River. At the bottom of the cave is the groundwater at an average altitude of 1.89 m a.s.l. In consideration of the proximity of the cave with the Adriatic Sea, the possible effects of the tides on the karst aquifer were investigated monitoring groundwater level, electrical conductivity (EC, K25) and water temperature using a CTD diver. Groundwater level daily oscillations show a lag of 4–4.5 hours compared to tides. The electrical conductivity variations that can be correlated to tides are 2–5 μS/cm. Excluding that the cave, given the altimetry, is directly affected by the saltwater wedge, the cyclical variations of the EC would derive from the dispersion at the salt water and fresh water interface and from the mobilization of more mineralized water coming from the rock mass. The hypothesis of mixing fresh and salt water and saline fossil waters in the caves of the area has been verified by a general increase in the chloride ion in this area of the karst aquifer compared to the internal areas of Classical Karst.

scholarly journals Diversity and Distribution Patterns of Hard Bottom Polychaete Assemblages in the North Adriatic Sea (Mediterranean)

Diversity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 408
Author(s):  
Barbara Mikac ◽  
Margherita Licciano ◽  
Andrej Jaklin ◽  
Ljiljana Iveša ◽  
Adriana Giangrande ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adriatic Sea ◽  
Benthic Communities ◽  
Structural Similarity ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Northern Adriatic Sea ◽  
Environmental Pressures ◽  
Northern Adriatic ◽  
The North ◽  
The Family ◽  
Abundance And Diversity

The knowledge on the hard bottom polychaete assemblages in the Northern Adriatic Sea, a Mediterranean region strongly affected by environmental pressures, is scarce and outdated. The objective of this paper was to update the information on polychaete diversity and depict their patterns of natural spatial variation, in relation to changes in algal coverage at increasing depth. Hard bottom benthos was quantitatively sampled by scraping off the substrate from three stations at Sveti Ivan Island (North Adriatic) at three depths (1.5 m, 5 m and 25 m). Polychaete fauna comprised 107 taxa (the majority of them identified at species level) belonging to 22 families, with the family Syllidae ranking first in terms of number of species, followed by Sabellidae, Nereididae, Eunicidae and Serpulidae. Considering the number of polychaete species and their identity, the present data differed considerably from previous studies carried out in the area. Two alien species, Lepidonotus tenuisetosus, which represented a new record for the Adriatic Sea, and Nereis persica, were recorded. The highest mean abundance, species diversity and internal structural similarity of polychaete assemblages were found at 5 m depth, characterised by complex and heterogeneous algal habitat. The DISTLM forward analysis revealed that the distribution of several algal taxa as well as some algal functional-morphological groups significantly explained the observed distribution patterns of abundance and diversity of polychaete assemblages. The diversity of the North Adriatic hard bottom polychaete fauna is largely underestimated and needs regular updating in order to detect and monitor changes of benthic communities in the area.

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