Search results for "macrophyte"
showing 10 items of 92 documents
Restoration of two small Mediterranean lagoons: The dynamics of submerged macrophytes and factors that affect the success of revegetation
2013
Abstract Two small, shallow lagoons newly created from former rice fields in the Mediterranean coast (Albufera de Valencia Natural Park, Spain) were restored by planting several species of submerged macrophytes (Myriophyllum spicatum, Ceratophyllum demersum, Potamogeton spp., Zannichellia peltata and Ranunculus peltatus) in 2008. Charophytes also appeared spontaneously. M. spicatum was the species that dominated both lagoons and almost completely covered their surface. M. spicatum reached a high biomass and displayed a seasonal pattern, declining during the cold season and reappearing in the spring. No submerged vegetation was observed in the lagoons from 2011 onward. The major purpose of t…
Aquatic invertebrate assemblages in ponds from coastal Mediterranean wetlands
2014
Invertebrate aquatic assemblages in ponds from Mediterranean wetlands are composed of organisms belonging to different taxonomic groups, which present a wide range of sizes (from small rotifers to large crustaceans or insects). Although they are often sampled and analyzed separately, the ecological links among these organisms should be considered, especially in very shallow waters. In our study, invertebrate assemblages (including micro-, macrozooplankton and macroinvertebrates) were characterized in eight shal- low lakes from Mediterranean wetlands in Southeastern Spain. A great spatial and temporal variability in the assemblages and in some environmental features was observed. The communi…
Alien macrophytes in the Mediterranean Sea: an overview
2019
The Mediterranean Sea, one of the most complex marine ecosystems, is inhabited by a rich and diverse biota which is disproportionate to its dimensions. Such high species richness makes the Mediterranean Sea a true hotspot of biodiversity. However, the Mediterranean Sea is amongst the most impacted regional sea areas, due to increasing levels of threats, mainly driven by human activities such as climate change and the introduction of non-indigenous species (NIS, i.e. organisms introduced outside of their natural, past or present, range and outside of their natural dispersal potential). NIS may in time become invasive (i.e. invasive alien species (IAS)) with severe impacts on biodiversity and…
Citizen and scientists work together to monitor marine alien macrophytes
2018
The introduction of non-indigenous species (NIS) is an ongoing phenomenon which has been pointed out as a major threat to biodiversity at different levels (Wallentinus, Nyberg 2007, Katsanevakis et al. 2014, Vergés et al. 2016). NIS may in time become invasive (Invasive Alien Species “IAS”) and may cause biodiversity loss and ecosystem service changes (Brunel et al. 2013, Giakoumi 2014, Vergés et al. 2016). The Mediterranean Sea is an important hotspot for marine NIS (ca. 1,000 such species recorded to date, Zenetos et al. 2012, Galil et al. 2015, Verlaque et al. 2015). To reduce the risk of future IAS introduction and to better understand their invasive po- tential and spread dynamics, mon…
ROLE OF SICILY AND CIRCUM-SICILIAN ISLANDS AS RECIPIENT AND DONOR AREA FOR ALIEN MARINE MACROPHYTES IN THE CENTRAL MEDITERRANEAN SEA
2017
The spread of alien species is an ongoing phenomenon which is widely recognized as a major threat to biodiversity at all levels. The particularly high rate of alien introductions to the Mediterranean Sea has been mainly fuelled by the opening of the Suez Canal, by shipping, aquaculture and by a rising trend in seawater temperature. As far as marine macrophytes are concerned, a total of 134 species have been listed as possible aliens in the Mediterranean Sea. Among the possible pathways of introduction, shipping is considered the dominant vector of unintentional species introduction in coastal marine systems worldwide. Traversing the Strait of Sicily, the chief passageway from south to north…
Marine macrophytes: diversity and applications
2023
The research activity deals with several aspects of biology, systematics and ecology of marine macrophytes, with a special focus on macrophytes inhabiting the Mediterranean Sea. In particular, the research focuses on: 1) Marine alien macrophytes (e.g. Caulerpa, Asparagopsis, Halophila) and their interactions with autochthonous macrophytes, with particular attention to Marine Protected Areas. 2) Coralline red algae (Rhodoliths, Lithophyllum byssoides), characterized by a carbonate thallus, which form complex structures that increase the habitat biodiversity and are a key component in the cycle of carbonate budget. Thus, they are of high interest for conservation. 3) Brown algae belonging to …
Prospetto delle piante vascolari native di potenziale impiego negli interventi di fitodepurazione in Sicilia
2013
Checklist of the native vascular plants of potential use in phytoremediation in Sicily. A list of native vascular plants suitable for phytoremediation in Sicily is presented here. It includes 192 specific and intraspecific taxa, each provided with the relevantbiological form and subform, chorotype, and macrophyte classification. An index based on the aesthetic value of each taxon is also proposed.
Trophic adaptability shapes isotopic niche of the resident fish Aphanius fasciatus across lagoon habitats
2022
Abstract Coastal lagoons are characterized by high habitat heterogeneity where natural habitats coexist with artificial ones, historically set up to support human activities. Increasing anthropogenic pressure may lead to progressive degradation of the most vulnerable lagoonal habitats and the associated biological communities. One of the strictly estuarine-dependent fish species that may be affected by the degradation of lagoon habitats is the South European toothcarp Aphanius fasciatus, archetype of Mediterranean lagoon residents. Carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes were used to disentangle the influence of habitat types (natural vs artificial) and fish community (multi-trophic context) on…
Ecological impacts of global warming and water abstraction on lakes and reservoirs due to changes in water level and related changes in salinity
2015
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report released in September 2014, unprecedented changes in temperature and precipitation patterns have been recorded globally in recent decades and further change is predicted to occur in the near future, mainly as the result of human activity. In particular, projections show that the Mediterranean climate zone will be markedly affected with significant implications for lake water levels and salinity. This may be exacerbated by increased demands for irrigation water. Based on long-term data from seven lakes and reservoirs covering a geographical gradient of 52 of latitudes and a literature review, we discuss how changes in water le…
Effects of plant species in a horizontal subsurface flow constructedwetland – phytoremediation of treated urban wastewater withCyperus alternifolius …
2013
Abstract Plant species carry out a series of important biological, chemical and physical processes within a constructed wetland wastewater treatment system and make a significant contribution to wastewater purification. This paper compares two emergent macrophytes – Cyperus alternifolius L. and Typha latifolia L. – planted separately in a pilot horizontal subsurface flow system for the phytoremediation of treated urban wastewater in the West of Sicily (Italy). The total surface area of the three units within the pilot system was 99 m 2 . Six subunits were planted with two species and three subunits were left unplanted as the control. The main aim of the study was to demonstrate that, under …