Preprint volume - SIBM

Pre-print Volume - Oral presentations
Topic 1: BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION SCIENCE: CONTRIBUTING TO MANAGEMENT
Fig. 1 - Map of Pianosa Island showing the study sites of 2008-2009 survey.
Mappa dell’isola di Pianosa che mostra i siti di studio dell’indagine 2008-2009.
A morphological cartography of the bottom was obtained through single beam profiles
with the system GARMIN GI0272 in June-August 2009; data have been elaborated by
the ISMAR-CNR of Bologna. The distribution of the main organisms and assemblages
was obtained through direct surveys by scuba divers along transects.
The structure of P. oceanica meadows was studied along 14 transects around the
island, determining cover, density (number of shoots m -2 ), phenological variables and
production.
Benthic assemblages were sampled along 33 transects. The following assemblages
were studied: macroalgal assemblages on hard bottom, macro-zoobenthic assemblages
on soft and hard bottom, vagile fauna in P. oceanica meadows, epiphyte assemblages
on P. oceanica, fish assemblages. Samples on rocky bottom consisted of total scraping
of substrate with hammer and chisel. Soft bottom assemblages were collected using a
30 cm long and 10 cm wide corer. P. oceanica epiphytes were studied collecting 12
shoots in each sampling area. Vagile fauna of meadows was sampled through the handtowed
net method. Species composition and abundance of fish assemblages were
obtained through visual census techniques (Gambi and Dappiano, 2003).
Results – Data obtained from transects were used to integrate the cartography of the
island with information of a detailed distribution of the main assemblages (Fig. 2).
During the survey of 2004 a total of 642 taxa were identified. After the survey of 2008-
2009, a total of 1106 taxa were found in the studied habitats. In particular, 174
Rhodophyta, 48 Heterokontophyta, 32 Chlorophyta, 2 Spermatophyta, 26 Porifera, 30
41 st S.I.B.M. CONGRESS Rapallo (GE), 7-11 June 2010
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