La Mesa G., Molinari A., Tunesi L. (2010) Coastal fish assemblage characterisation to support the zoning of a new marine protected area in north-western Mediterranean. Italian Journal of Zoology 77(2), 197-210.
In the framework of a multidisciplinary study designed to define the zoning proposal of a new Marine Protected Area (MPA), the fish assemblage of Gallinaria island was assessed according to a specific methodological approach, in order to evaluate spatial differences in the fish assemblage structure in relation to depth, habitat and island sector. Eighty-two species belonging to 26 families were recorded in total. The highest species richness was recorded in the western sector and was positively correlated to the number of occurring strata (i.e. combination of habitat and depth). Mean species richness (S), diversity (H') and fish total density decreased markedly with depth on soft bottom, whereas no depth-related trend was observed on Posidonia oceanica meadows, except for density. On rocky-algal reef, the highest values of S, H' and total density were recorded at 0–3 m or 4–7 m depth, depending on sector. Differences in species composition and abundance among sectors were mainly driven by the habitat and depth-related preferences of fishes. Large individuals or aggregation of recreationally important fishes were mainly located in western and southeastern sectors. The number of commercially important species was similar in the three island sectors. Nevertheless, the majority of these species showed a size distribution more skewed towards medium and large size classes in the southeastern sector than in the others. Overall, the observed pattern of fish distribution along with some socioeconomic concerns showed that the southeastern sector was the most suitable to become a no-take zone.
per per informazioni/approfondimenti: Leonardo Tunesi
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