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Ecological status in the Ligurian Sea: The effect of coastline urbanisation and the importance of proper reference sites
Mangialajo, L.; Ruggieri, N.; Asnaghi, V.; Chiantore, M.; Povero, P.; Cattaneo-Vietti, R. (2007). Ecological status in the Ligurian Sea: The effect of coastline urbanisation and the importance of proper reference sites. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 55(1-6): 30-41. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2006.08.022
In: Marine Pollution Bulletin. Macmillan: London. ISSN 0025-326X; e-ISSN 1879-3363
Also appears in:
Devlin, M.; Best, M.; Haynes, D. (Ed.) (2007). Implementation of the Water Framework Directive in European marine waters. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 55(Spec. Issue 1-6). Elsevier: Amsterdam. 297 pp., more
Peer reviewed article  

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Keywords
    Algae
    Cartography
    Chemical reactions > Degradation
    Composition > Community composition
    Conservation > Nature conservation
    Environments > Aquatic environment > Marine environment
    Management > Ecosystem management > Coastal zone management
    Marine parks
    Pollution > Water pollution
    Quality assessment
    Urbanization
    Cystoseira C.Agardh, 1820 [WoRMS]
    MED, Ligurian Sea [Marine Regions]
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    Water Framework Directive; ecological quality; Ligurian sea; Cystoseira;integrated management; quality assessment

Authors  Top 
  • Mangialajo, L.
  • Ruggieri, N.
  • Asnaghi, V.
  • Chiantore, M.
  • Povero, P.
  • Cattaneo-Vietti, R.

Abstract
    The assessment of the ecological status, as required by the Water Framework Directive (WFD), plays an important role in coastal zone management, but only a small number of ecological indices are applicable on rocky bottoms. In this study, we apply a previously defined ecological quality index based on the cartography of littoral and upper-sublittoral rocky-shore communities (CARLIT), based on the sensitivity of algae dominated communities to anthropogenic impacts along a moderate urban gradient. We also apply this index in four Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), proposed as reference sites at a regional scale. After comparing the outputs with water variables and other quality indices, we can affirm that (1) the CARLIT index is suitable to detect different kinds of anthropogenic pressures, that (2) the choice of proper reference sites is a focal point in the fulfilment of the WFD (Water Framework Directive) and that (3) historical data are important to define reference conditions and the degradation of ecological status. (

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