Density and distribution of Posidonia oceanica and Pinna nobilis around the Peñón de Ifach (Alicante, Spain)
We have developed a survey to study distribution of Posidonia oceanica and Pinna nobilis around Peñón de Ifach (Calpe, Alicante, Spain). To characterize the distribution of Posidonia meadows as well as other benthic communities, 45 transects between 50 and 150 m long were performed perpendicular to Peñón de Ifach. Once the distribution of the meadows was established, we estimated P. oceanica shoot density in 29 stations. In each station 4 sites and 3 replicates per site of 25x25 cm2 were measured. Mate coverage was estimated by means of visual observations. P. nobilis density was estimated in 15 stations located within the P. oceanica meadows. At each station, two stripe transects of 50x2 m2 long were censed. The dimensions of the unburied part of the shell of every individual censed were measured to estimate size distribution of the population. Posidonia distribution is restricted to depths above 22 m –observed only in a few spots both at the north-east and south-west of Peñón de Ifach–. The north-east side of Peñón de Ifach hosts a barrier reef reaching 1.5 m depth with isolated Posidonia patches, displaying the highest shoot density of the assessed stations. Shoot density varied between 360 and 1744 shoots/m2. Density of P. nobilis ranged between 0 and 12 individuals/100m2. The highest concentration of specimens was observed at the west of Peñón de Ifach in Cala del Racó. In general, conservation status of P. oceanica and P. nobilis around Peñón de Ifach is good, although some indicators of matte damage, such as degraded limits, were observed in the border of the meadows. The presence of some epiphytic algae on the leaves of the meadow as well as abundant Colpomenia sinuosa and Corallina ellongata on the rocky substrates are indicators of some organic matter input, probably coming from the port of Calpe and the sewage system outlet, located in the middle of Calpe Bay at 23 m depth. The following of the lower limits of the meadows is recommended to check if these are regressive, stable or progressive in order to plan specific protection measures for P. oceanica meadows in this area.
Keywords:
Posidonia oceanic,
Shoot density,
Pinna nobilis,
Bioindicators,
Peñon de Ifach
Conference:
XIX Iberian Symposium on Marine Biology Studies, Porto, Portugal, 5 Sep - 9 Sep, 2016.
Presentation Type:
Poster Presentation
Topic:
1. ECOLOGY, BIODIVERSITY AND VULNERABLE ECOSYSTEMS
Citation:
Garcia Martinez
M
(2016). Density and distribution of Posidonia oceanica and Pinna nobilis around the Peñón de Ifach (Alicante, Spain).
Front. Mar. Sci.
Conference Abstract:
XIX Iberian Symposium on Marine Biology Studies.
doi: 10.3389/conf.FMARS.2016.05.00137
Copyright:
The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers.
They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters.
The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated.
Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed.
For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions.
Received:
30 Apr 2016;
Published Online:
03 Sep 2016.
*
Correspondence:
Dr. Micaela Garcia Martinez, Researcher, Valencia, Spain, ma.garcia@ucv.es