Abstract
The present study investigates patterns of distribution of macroalgal coralligenous assemblages in relation to depth and evaluates the role of different environmental conditions on these patterns. Two depths (30 and 40 m) were investigated off small islands and off continental coasts in order to select two different environmental conditions. Results showed differences between depths in the structure of assemblages around islands, while along the continental coasts these patterns were not evident. Moreover, differences between assemblages related to different environmental conditions were more evident in the shallower zone of distribution of the coralligenous habitat. This correlative study did not allow us to identify any cause-effect relationship, but patterns we detected agree with those of other studies, suggesting that alterations in the environmental conditions may be the cause of the decrease in differences among assemblages developing at different depths and may lead to a higher spatial homogenization and an impoverishment of the whole subtidal system.
Highlights
Depth is one of the main causes of distribution in marine organisms (Vadas and Steneck, 1988; Garrabou et al, 2002; Konar et al, 2009; Terlizzi et al, 2010)
The present study aimed to describe patterns of distribution of macroalgal coralligenous assemblages in relation to depth and to determine whether these patterns remain constant under different environmental conditions
Small islands and continental coasts can generally differ in environmental conditions and levels of anthropogenic disturbance (Benedetti-Cecchi et al, 2003)
Summary
Depth is one of the main causes of distribution in marine organisms (Vadas and Steneck, 1988; Garrabou et al, 2002; Konar et al, 2009; Terlizzi et al, 2010). Other factors, such as the morphology of the bottom, physical and chemical characteristics of water and biotic interactions, can modify the vertical patterns of distribution (Underwood, 1992; Benedetti-Cecchi et al, 2000; Glasby and Connel, 2001; Irving and Connel, 2002; Airoldi, 2003; Diez et al, 2003; Dauer et al, 2008). In this context, human activities can influence patterns of variability, amplifying these changes (Chapman et al, 1995). This latter aspect is understudied, it might furnish fundamental ecological information for understanding the spatial patterns in impact evaluations or monitoring surveys.
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