A multidisciplinary approach to the study of insular environments: the 1st Summer School on Geomorphology, Ecology, and Marine Biology in the Tremiti Islands (Southern Adriatic Sea, Puglia, Italy)

Giorgio Paglia,Luisa Bergamin,Marcello Buccolini,Cristiano Carabella,Francesco Cerrone,Francesco Latino Chiocci,Roberto D’Arielli,Gianluca Esposito,Daniela Federico,Vania Mancinelli,Andrea Marassich,Martina Mazzetti,Silvia Mecacci,Carmela Nolè,Valerio Piattelli,Elena Romano,Eva Salvati,Enrico Miccadei

doi:10.1080/17445647.2020.1776645

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper is the outcome of the 1st Summer School on Geomorphology, Ecology, and Marine Biology in insular environments, focused on the advanced and multidisciplinary methods for the scientific investigation of marine coastal areas. It was held at Tremiti Islands, a significant laboratory for geomorphological, biological, and ecological studies because of its dynamic interaction between geodiversity and biodiversity, which makes it an ideal place for scientific research and geotourism. Landscape information was collected during field trips, while practical activities were finalized to sampling sediments and data collection of hard bottom assemblages. The map is the result of a multidisciplinary analysis incorporating geomorphological field observations and advanced methods applicable for ecological and environmental research, supported by scientific diving. This work represents a useful tool for the dissemination of environmental knowledge of the area and for understanding the relationships between landscape and natural heritage through modern and environmentally aware tourism.

Highlights

The 1st Summer School on Geomorphology, Ecology, and Marine Biology in insular environment, held on 30 June–3 July 2019, at Tremiti Islands, aimed at promoting a multidisciplinary scientific approach for the study of the interactions between physical and biological characteristics of emerged and submerged marine coastal areas
Three aliquots of sediment were used for the analysis of grain size, Total Organic Carbon (TOC) (De Falco et al, 2004; Romano et al, 2018b), and benthic foraminifera (BF), the last one previously stained with a Rose Bengal /ethanol solution for the recognition of living specimens (Walton, 1952)
This paper is the outcome of the 1st Summer School on Geomorphology, Ecology, and Marine Biology, held at the archipelago of Tremiti Islands

Summary

Introduction

The 1st Summer School on Geomorphology, Ecology, and Marine Biology in insular environment, held on 30 June–3 July 2019, at Tremiti Islands (southern Adriatic Sea, Puglia Region), aimed at promoting a multidisciplinary scientific approach for the study of the interactions between physical and biological characteristics of emerged and submerged marine coastal areas. Tremiti islands, established in 1989 as Marine Protected Area (MPA), were an ideal site for the summer school because of their high scientific value, derived from the dynamic interaction between geodiversity and biodiversity, and the presence of coastal marine caves of particular interest from a geomorphological and ecological viewpoint (Gallo D’Addabbo et al, 2001; Miccadei et al, 2011b; Pignatti et al, 1967); besides, the cultural importance, linked to the presence of one the most important monasteries of the Adriatic coast of Italy, should be seen in a context of site conservation, management, and land planning (Pagliarulo, 2015). Geotourism is a type of sustainable tourism developed in the last few decades in the broad field of geoheritage

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