IMC Fondazione ONLUS - Centro Marino Internazionale | UP
The Coastal Ecosystems Group investigates the structure and functioning of coastal marine ecosystems, such as lagoons, beaches, soft and rocky seabed, and the effects on them of both natural and anthropogenic forcing. The research activities are finalised to build the scientific sound basis for the management of the coastal zone.
The focus is mainly on the benthic ecosystems, although research activities on the water column is being carried out (e.g. LOICZ budget in coastal lagoons).
The specific issues investigated by ongoing projects involves:
lagoon-coastal marine ecosystems interactions: seagrass meadow successions and benthic macrofaunal communities biodiversity studies and assessment of benthic indicators of coastal marine ecosystems health
coastal erosion: impact on shoreline stability of the removal of seagrass leaves cast on the beaches
distribution and state of health of seagrass meadows
distribution and population structure of sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus finalised to the sea urchin fishery management in Marine Protected Areas
development of tools to assess the effects of Marine Protected Areas at the ecosystem level
Methods
field activities: organisation of sampling campaigns, 'in situ' measurements, water and sediment sample collection
laboratory analysis: hydrochemistry, sediments properties, macrofaunal communities, seagrass and seaweeds,
mapping and GIS: aerial photo interpretation, contouring, GIS
Equipment and instruments:
vessel for coastal survey, GPS and echosounder system
field instruments, multiparametric probe, , scuba diving equipment
sedimentological, chemical and biological laboratories
PC and software for mapping, GIS, statistical analysis
