Through the collaborative efforts of several institutions and scientists within BenTOC initiative of LaguNet (Italian Network for Lagoon Research), the applicability of the Pearson-Rosenberg (P-R, 1978) conceptual model describing a generalized pattern of response of benthic communities in relation to organic enrichment to Mediterranean coastal lagoons was investigated. Matching data on the structure of macrobenthic communities and TOC content of sediments were obtained and analyzed from 349 stations representing the three Mediterranean Sea coastal lagoons of Cabras, Orbe-tello, and Venice (Italy). Consistent with P-R model predictions, benthic diversity and abundance showed two different peaks at low (> 2.5-5 mg g-1) and high (> 25-30 mg g-1) total organic carbon (TOC) ranges, respectively (Magni et al., 2009). TOC thresh-olds were identified indicating that risks of reduced benthic diversity should be rela-tively low at TOC values < about 10 mg g-1, high at TOC values > about 28 mg g-1, and intermediate at values in-between. While not a direct measure of causality, it is anticipated that these TOC thresholds should serve as a general screening-level indi-cator for evaluating the likelihood of reduced sediment quality and associated bioef-fects in such eutrophic systems of the Mediterranean Sea. This study reinforces the importance of reliable and accurate taxonomy as a starting foundation for the integration of diversity measures and other benthic indicators into comprehensive data sets for large-scale management purposes. It also highlights the value of collaborative regional programmes to help develop consistent and compre-hensive sets of indicators and processes that provide a basis for understanding the unique properties of specific ecosystems, such as Mediterranean coastal lagoons. Financial support to present this paper at the ICES-BEWG meeting 2009 was kindly provided by the Network of Excellence MarBEF though the Short Term Additional Integrating Activity.
The BenTOC initiative of Lagunet on the title "Animal-sediment relation-ships: Evaluating the 'Pearson-Rosenberg paradigm' in Mediterranean coastal lagoons"
Magni P
2009
Abstract
Through the collaborative efforts of several institutions and scientists within BenTOC initiative of LaguNet (Italian Network for Lagoon Research), the applicability of the Pearson-Rosenberg (P-R, 1978) conceptual model describing a generalized pattern of response of benthic communities in relation to organic enrichment to Mediterranean coastal lagoons was investigated. Matching data on the structure of macrobenthic communities and TOC content of sediments were obtained and analyzed from 349 stations representing the three Mediterranean Sea coastal lagoons of Cabras, Orbe-tello, and Venice (Italy). Consistent with P-R model predictions, benthic diversity and abundance showed two different peaks at low (> 2.5-5 mg g-1) and high (> 25-30 mg g-1) total organic carbon (TOC) ranges, respectively (Magni et al., 2009). TOC thresh-olds were identified indicating that risks of reduced benthic diversity should be rela-tively low at TOC values < about 10 mg g-1, high at TOC values > about 28 mg g-1, and intermediate at values in-between. While not a direct measure of causality, it is anticipated that these TOC thresholds should serve as a general screening-level indi-cator for evaluating the likelihood of reduced sediment quality and associated bioef-fects in such eutrophic systems of the Mediterranean Sea. This study reinforces the importance of reliable and accurate taxonomy as a starting foundation for the integration of diversity measures and other benthic indicators into comprehensive data sets for large-scale management purposes. It also highlights the value of collaborative regional programmes to help develop consistent and compre-hensive sets of indicators and processes that provide a basis for understanding the unique properties of specific ecosystems, such as Mediterranean coastal lagoons. Financial support to present this paper at the ICES-BEWG meeting 2009 was kindly provided by the Network of Excellence MarBEF though the Short Term Additional Integrating Activity.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
