Search results for "coast"

The integration of surface and subsurface stratigraphic data with HVSR measures for studies of seismic microzonation: the case of Oliveri (ME)

2013

Because of its high seismic hazard the urban area of Oliveri has been subject of a study on seismic microzonation at first level (OPCM 3907/2010). The urban area develops on a large coastal plain made of Late Pleistocene and Holocene mixed fluvial/marine sediments, that mainly consist of silty sands and gravels. The eastern part of this plain is dominated by the alluvial deposits of the Elicona torrent. The coastal and alluvial sediments overlap a complexly deformed substrate made of Hercynian metamorphites (Aspromonte unit), the Capo d’Orlando Flysch, the Antisicilide Argille Scagliose and Pleistocene clays and calcarenites. This area is affected by high uplift rates as recently estimated …

DEEP RHODOLITH BEDS IN THE USTICA ISLAND (SICILY, SOUTHERN TYRRHENIAN SEA): A SEDIMENTARY AND PALEOECOLOGICAL APPROACH

2018

The results of a multidisciplinary study conducted on the circali- ttoral soft bottom assemblages at Secchitello (Sicchiteddu) and in the neighbouring areas along the southern coast of Ustica Island (Sicily, Southern Tyrrhenian Sea) are presented. In particular, the study pro- vided useful data for a taxonomic, ecological and paleoecological revi- sion of the Coastal Detritic facies with free-living calcareous algae and for a critical analysis of their relationship with the sedimentary dynamics. During a survey, carried out by the University of Catania (1991) with a R.O.V. (remotely operated vehicle), the presence of the Coastal Detritic (DC) biocoenosis, characterized by a surprisingly hig…

The plant landscape of an interesting stretch of coastline in southern Sicily: the area between Punta Grande and Capo Rossello (Realmonte, Agrigento)…

2013

Osservazioni fitosociologiche su aspetti di vegetazione a Quercus ilex di Monte Sparagio (Trapani)

2010

Phytosociological observation on some aspect of Quercus ilex vegetation located on the Monte Sparagio (Trapani- N-NW Sicily) – The study of some Quercus ilex residual formations occurring on the Monte Sparagio in the Trapani district (NW Sicily) is presented here. These formations testify that in the past thermophilous Quercus ilex woods were widespread along the littoral mountains facing to Tyrrhenian sea. They are assigned to the Rhamno alaterni-Quercetum ilicis pistacietosum terebinthi.

Life on the edge: Adaptations of Posidonia oceanica to hypersaline conditions in a Mediterranean lagoon system

2023

Hypersaline stress is a major stressor in semi-enclosed coastal lagoons, affecting the distribution and survival of key foundation species. In this study, we investigated how Posidonia oceanica meadows responded physiologically and morphologically to different salinity concentrations both in-situ, across a natural saline gradient occurring inside the lagoon system, and in a mesocosm experiment. Leaf water relations, organic osmolytes, photosynthesis, respiration, Chlorophyll-a fluorescence, pigments content, and leaf growth were studied in P. oceanica from three different sites within the Stagnone of Marsala lagoon, as well as after exposing P. oceanica to a salinity level of 46 psu in a 30…

PLANT LANDSCAPE OF RAS DIMAS PENINSULA (GOVERNATORATE OF MONASTIR, CENTRAL COASTAL TUNISIA)

2014

The Ras Dimas lagoon lies along the coast of Central Tunisia (35°37'45.84"N, 11° 2'44.61"E), in the region of Sahel, about 20 km linear distance to the south from Monastir and about 160 km from Tunisi. The lagoon is made up by a sandy peninsula with white sands rich in limestone with fine granulometry, about 3 km long, up to 200 m wide and up to 2 m high, that contains about 120 hectares of sea. Previously this peninsula was regularly isolated from the continent forming the island of Edzira, in the last years, sea storms and the different streams course, likely caused by the restructuring of the Port of Bekalta, has given the actual configuration of a peninsula. In April 2013, as part of th…

La vegetazione psammofila della Sicilia settentrionale

2010

Coastal sand dune vegetation of Northern Sicily from Termini Imerese (Palermo) to Capo Peloro (Messina) was examined. The study revealed the presence of low dunes whose evolution and development is biased either by the local coast mophogenetic processes or due to the high anthropogenic pressure. Several associations referred to the classes Cakiletea and Ammophiletea were found, and, in particular: Salsolo kali- Cakiletum maritimae, Cakilo maritimae-Xanthietum italici, Salsolo kali-Euphorbietum peplis, Glaucio flavi-Matthioletum tricuspidatae, Sporoboletum arenarii, Cypero capitati-Agropyretum juncei, Medicagini marinae-Ammophiletum australis and Centaureo sphaerocephalae-Ononidetum ramosiss…

Le piante vascolari del litorale trapanese: da Ronciglio a Capo San Vito

2013

Vascular flora of the Trapani littoral between Ronciglio and Capo San Vito (NW Sicily). – The list of the vascular plants observed and collected in the Trapani littoral between Ronciglio and Capo San Vito (NW Sicily) during the last 20 years is presented here and commented. In total, 541 specific and infraspecific taxa were recorded. This flora has marked Mediterranean characteristics as shown by the absolute prevalence of therophytes as well as Mediterranean chorotypes. Among the most interesting taxa belonging to this flora are some halophytes and rare endemics such as Biscutella maritima, Calendula maritima, Cynomorium coccineum, Erica sicula, Galium litorale, Halocnemum strobilaceum, Li…

Altered epiphyte community and sea urchin diet in Posidonia oceanica meadows in the vicinity of volcanic CO2 vents

2017

Ocean acidification (OA) predicted for 2100 is expected to shift seagrass epiphyte communities towards the dominance of more tolerant non-calcifying taxa. However, little is known about the indirect effects of such changes on food provision to key seagrass consumers. We found that epiphyte communities of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica in two naturally acidified sites (i.e. north and south sides of a volcanic CO2 vent) and in a control site away from the vent at the Ischia Island (NW Mediterranean Sea) significantly differed in composition and abundance. Such differences involved a higher abundance of non-calcareous crustose brown algae and a decline of calcifying polychaetes in both acidif…

Functional role of biofouling linked to aquaculture facilities in Mediterranean enclosed locations

2020

Biofouling is generally considered a serious threat for human coastal activities such as aquaculture, and the ecological role of fouling organisms associated with fish-farm cages remains one of the most debated topics in the ecological field. However, although biofouling may cause significant problems related to human health, environmental impact and financial losses, in the past decade there has been an increasing interest in developing methods to promote the growth of biofouling on artificial structures as a strategy to mitigate human impacts and reduce the organic enrichment caused by net-cage fish farming. Here we investigated the filtration activity of biofouling assemblages colonizing…