Proceedings of the Second Mediterranean Symposium on Marine

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SECOND MEDITERRANEAN SYMPOSIUM ON MARINE VEGETATION (ATHENS, 12-13 DECEMBER 2003)
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• mei<strong>of</strong>auna species;
• nutrients in intersticial water;
• sediment metabolism expressed through respiration.
Marking <strong>the</strong> lower limit <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> meadow
In order to be able to monitor <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> meadow, 6 marks were placed at
its lower limit while 4 <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m were used to mark <strong>the</strong> outer border <strong>of</strong> one single patch.
In accordance with <strong>the</strong> methodology used in GIS Posidonie, photographs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> situation
were taken in order to enable <strong>the</strong> follow-up <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> evolution <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> meadow and <strong>the</strong>
eventual changes in its lower limit.
Installing signposts
Due to <strong>the</strong> fact that <strong>the</strong> meadow is located in an urbanised area with a ra<strong>the</strong>r intense
recreational use, especially in summer, <strong>the</strong> signposts represent an important tool in
spreading <strong>the</strong> awareness on <strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> meadow and its conservation. Taking
into account <strong>the</strong> specificity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> area, five signposts, explaining <strong>the</strong> main characteristics and
importance <strong>of</strong> Posidonia oceanica and <strong>the</strong> conservation measures adopted, were foreseen.
Increasing public awareness
As mentioned above, all <strong>the</strong> activities were used as a tool to icrease public awareness
concerning <strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> meadow and <strong>the</strong> need for its conservation. However a
special event was organised in order also to inform <strong>the</strong> public on <strong>the</strong> activities carried out
in <strong>the</strong> framework <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> project. The event included a press conference, a fild trip, lectures
by Gerard Pergent and Christine Pergent-Martini
from <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Corsica and <strong>the</strong> opening
<strong>of</strong> an exhibition dedicated to P. oceanica
meadows, <strong>the</strong>ir importance and role.
CONCLUSIONS
The implementation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> activities foreseen
in <strong>the</strong> Memorandum <strong>of</strong> Understanding was
carried out succesfully and what is even more
important; <strong>the</strong>y were very well accepted by <strong>the</strong>
general public and <strong>the</strong> local authorities. One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> direct
consequences <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> activities is <strong>the</strong> inclusion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
results <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> mapping in <strong>the</strong> elaboration <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> plans for
<strong>the</strong> future development <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> area. Beside that, <strong>the</strong>
results <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> activities – mapping, marking <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> lower
limit etc. represent <strong>the</strong> necessary basis for <strong>the</strong>
implementation <strong>of</strong> a long-term monitoring <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> area
and <strong>the</strong> definition <strong>of</strong> effective measures for <strong>the</strong>
conservation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> meadow.
Fig. 2 : Lecture by pr<strong>of</strong>. Pergent