Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Action plan for the conservation of the oralligenous and other calcareous bio-concretions in the mediterranean sea
Note :The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this document do not imply
the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNEP concerning the legal status of any State,
Territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of their frontiers or
boundaries.
2008
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permission in writing from UNEP-MAP-RAC/SPA.
For bibliographic purposes this volume may be cited as:
UNEP-MAP-RAC/SPA. 2008. Action plan for the conservation of the coralligenous and other
calcareous bio-concretions in the Mediterranean Sea. Ed. RAC/SPA,Tunis : 21 pp.
The draft version has been prepared for RAC/SPA, by:
Enric Ballesteros,
Centre dEstudis Avanats de BlanesCSIC. Acc.
Cala Sant Francesc 14.
E-17300 Blanes, Girona, Spain
Email : kike@ceab.csic.es
with contributions from Kerim Ben Mustapha, Ghazi Bitar, Rafel Coma, Joaquim Garrabou, Giuseppe
Giaccone, Jean Georges Harmelin, Lucien Laubier, Cristina Linares, Alfonso Ramos and Leonardo Tunesi.
This document should not be considered as an official
United Nations document.
Action plan for the conservation of the oralligenous and other calcareous bio-concretions in the mediterranean sea
CONTENTS
FOREWORD...................................................................................................................................................... 4
I. CURRENT SITUATION OF CORALLIGENOUS ASSEMBLAGES .................................................... 5
I.1. Current knowledge ............................................................................................................................. 5
I.2. Distribution ........................................................................................................................................... 5
I.3. Composition.......................................................................................................................................... 6
II. DATA COLLECTION AND INVENTORIES .......................................................................................... 8
II.1. Specific inventories ............................................................................................................................. 8
II.2. Sites of particular interest ................................................................................................................ 9
II.3. Specialized Institutions and researchers ..................................................................................... 10
III. MONITORING ACTIVITIES ................................................................................................................... 10
III.1.Types of monitoring ........................................................................................................................ 11
III.2. Monitoring methods ....................................................................................................................... 11
IV. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES........................................................................................................................... 13
IV.1.Taxonomy........................................................................................................................................... 13
IV.2. Long term evolution ....................................................................................................................... 14
IV.3. Functioning........................................................................................................................................ 14
V. CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES ................................................................................................................ 15
V.1. Major Threats..................................................................................................................................... 15
V.1.1.Trawling ..................................................................................................................................... 15
V.1.2.Artisanal and recreational fishing........................................................................................ 16
V.1.3.Anchoring ................................................................................................................................. 16
V.1.4. Invasive species ....................................................................................................................... 17
V.1.5. Global warming....................................................................................................................... 17
V.1.6.Waste water discharges........................................................................................................ 17
V.1.7.Aquaculture.............................................................................................................................. 17
V.1.8. Changes in land use and coastal infrastructure construction
and urbanization ..................................................................................................................... 17
V.1.9. Recreational activities (excluding fishing) ......................................................................... 17
V.1.10. Mucilaginous and filamentous algal aggregates.............................................................. 17
V.2. Legislation and regulations ............................................................................................................. 18
V.3. Creation of Marine Protected Areas ........................................................................................... 19
VI. COORDINATION OF THIS ACTION PLAN WITH OTHER TOOLS AND INITIATIVES ........... 20
VII.TIMETABLE ................................................................................................................................................ 21
VIII. REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................................... 22
Action plan for the conservation of the oralligenous and other calcareous bio-concretions in the mediterranean sea
FOREWORD
The Action plan for the protection of the coralligenous and others calcareous bio-concretion in the
Mediterranean Sea follows a series of six Action plans adopted by the Mediterranean countries
within the framework of the Barcelona Convention, devoted to the conservation of species or
groups of species.These Action plans are:
Action plan for the management of the Mediterranean monk seal.
Action plan for the conservation of Mediterranean marine turtles.
Action plan for the conservation of cetaceans in the Mediterranean Sea.
Action plan for the conservation of the marine vegetation in the Mediterranean Sea
Action plan for the conservation of bird species listed in Annex II of the Protocol concerning
Specially Protected Areas and Biological Diversity in the Mediterranean
Action plan for the conservation of cartilaginous fishes (Condrichthyans) in the Mediterranean Sea
Although they do not have a binding legal character, these Action plans were adopted by the
Contracting Parties as regional strategies setting priorities and activities to be undertaken. In
particular, they call for greater solidarity between the States of the region, and for co-ordination of
efforts to protect the species in question.This approach has been proved to be necessary to ensure
conservation and sustainable management of the concerned species in every Mediterranean area of
their distribution.
This Action plan is the result of an adhoc meeting, organized in Tabarka (Tunisia), by RAC/SPA, during
6th and 7th May 2006. It focuses exclusively on coralligenous assemblages. Moreover calcareous
assemblages such as Dendropoma petraeum rims and Lithophyllum byssoides trottoirs are already
included in the Action plan for the Conservation of the Marine Vegetation and do not need further
attention. Deep-water Cystoseira species, even if they have also been sometimes included or
considered as special facies of coralligenous assemblages, they are also taken into account by the
Marine Vegetation Action plan, and thus will not be considered here again. Marl beds are in a very
different situation, as they are calcareous formations, that even if they lack of a real calcareous
framework, carbonate production is their main constitutive characteristic. Moreover, they are not
usually considered in the Marine Vegetation Action plan and, at least in the Mediterranean, they
thrive in the same places where coralligenous assemblages are found.Therefore, even if this Action
plan is mainly devoted to the conservation of coralligenous assemblages, marl beds will be included,
not as a special facies of the coralligenous, but as carbonate environments also developing in dim
light conditions and meriting almost the same conservation measures and management than
coralligenous frameworks.
In this Action plan, the coralligenous is considered as a typical Mediterranean underwater seascape
comprising coralline algal frameworks that grow in dim light conditions and in relatively calm waters
(Ballesteros, 2006). Mediterranean marl beds should be considered as sedimentary bottoms
covered by a carpet of free-living calcareous algae (Corallinales or Peyssonneliaceae) also developing
in dim light conditions.
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Action plan for the conservation of the oralligenous and other calcareous bio-concretions in the mediterranean sea
L.Vanrell
In order to gather all the scientific information available, the first step of this Action plan would be
to make a list of references dealing with coralligenous assemblages and marl beds, with indication
of the topics they cover (e.g. biodiversity and taxonomy, descriptive ecology, functional ecology,
composition, environmental factors, cartography, conservation, disturbances).
I.2. Distribution
One of the major gaps concerning the current state of knowledge of the coralligenous habitat and
marl beds is the absence of cartographical data. Some cartographical data have been published on
given locations, such as the Banyuls sur Mer area (capes lAbeille and Oullestreil), Medes Islands,
Tabarca or Port-Cros. Geographical as well as depth distributional data are essential in order to know
the real extent of these assemblages in the Mediterranean Sea as well as to implement appropriate
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Action plan for the conservation of the oralligenous and other calcareous bio-concretions in the mediterranean sea
management measures to guarantee their conservation. In order to improve this situation the
following actions are proposed:
To compile all existing information at all levels and scales on the distribution of coralligenous
assemblages and marl beds. Besides easily available (published) information on the distribution of
these assemblages in some MPAs (e.g. Ramos, 1985; Garcia Carrascosa, 1987; Gili & Ros, 1987;
Templado & Calvo, 2002, Belsher et al., 2005; Templado & Calvo, 2006), other unpublished reports
gather a lot of information. Collaboration of MPAs managers is needed. Contacts with main marine
agencies (e.g. IFREMER, IEO, ISPRA), universities and marine science research institutes are also
suggested, as they have a lot of unpublished information regarding the distribution of coastal benthic
communities.In Mediterranean countries lacking long-tradition marine science institutes,collaboration
with fishermen and divers (professional/sport) can probably be the only information source.
Punctual field missions have to be envisaged in potential places to host extensive and mostly unknown
coralligenous assemblages and marl beds. Eastern Mediterranean should be extensively scanned.
I.3. Composition
Coralligenous concretions are the result of the building activities of algal and animal builders and
the physical as well as biological eroding processes. The final result is a very complex structure
composed of several microhabitats. Environmental factors (i.e., light, water movement and
sedimentation rates) can vary by orders of magnitude in parts of the same concretion situated very
close to each other.This great environmental heterogeneity allows several different assemblages to
coexist in a reduced space. Assemblages situated in open waters (from horizontal to almost vertical
surfaces) can be easily distinguished from those situated in overhangs and cavities.
Algae usually dominate in horizontal to sub-horizontal surfaces although their abundance decreases
with decreasing irradiance. Two main algal communities have been distinguished in the western
Mediterranean: an assemblage dominated by Halimeda tuna and Mesophyllum alternans (LithophylloHalimedetum tunae), thriving in relatively high light levels, and an assemblage dominated by encrusting
corallines (Lithophyllum frondosum, L. cabiochae, Neogoniolithon mamillosum) and Peyssonnelia rosamarina (Rodriguezelletum strafforelloi), and receiving low light levels. Animal assemblages can greatly
differ according to light levels reaching the coralligenous outcrop but also according to current
intensity, sedimentation rates and geographical areas. In the richest, relatively more eutrophic zones,
with rather constant and low water temperature, gorgonians usually dominate the community, but
they are completely absent or rare in the more oligotrophic or low-current areas with rather high
or seasonally variable temperature, being replaced by poriferans, bryozoans or ascidians.
Marl beds are also very diverse. Even if corallines are the main constituents (Spongites fruticulosus,
Lithothamnion corallioides, Phymatolithon calcareum, Lithothamnion valens, Lithothamnion minervae,
Litophyllum racemus, Lithophyllum frondosum, and others), Peyssonnelia species (mainly Peyssonnelia
rosa-marina) can also be very important.The cover of erect algae depends on each particular site,
displaying several facies (Osmundaria volubilis, Phyllophora crispa, Kallymeniales, Laminaria rodriguezii).
Ascidians can also constitute facies and, in some cases, gorgonians and/or bryozoans can be
relatively abundant.
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Action plan for the conservation of the oralligenous and other calcareous bio-concretions in the mediterranean sea
The group of experts in Tabarka suggested using the Reference List of Habitat types appearing in
the Standard Data Entry Form (SDF) for National Inventories when looking for the composition of
coralligenous assemblages.
The suggestion when describing the composition of the coralligenous assemblages or the marl beds
would be to make these descriptions as accurate as possible, introducing the names of the main species
of algae involved in the construction of the algal framework or being the dominant species in the marl
beds, together with the erect algae and invertebrates that are more conspicuous. Probably, the best way
to do it would be listing the species in situ by trained biologists, quantified following the Braun-Blanquet
(1979) methodology (Cebrian & Ballesteros, 2004). Alternatively, the algal assemblage can be identified
considering the two main associations described for the coralligenous assemblages, which are the
Lithophyllo-Halimedetum tunae and the Rodriguezelletum straforelloi, and the names of the most prominent
sponges,cnidarians or bryozoans.In marl beds,description is also possible naming the main marl species
and erect algae, as well as the main macroinvertebrates.
Mesophyllum alternans
Mesophyllum expansum
Lithophyllum frondosum (= L. stictaeforme)
Lithophyllum cabiochae
Neogoniolithon mamillosum
Peyssonnelia rosa-marina
Lithothamnion philippii
Spongites fruticulosus
Lithothamnion corallioides
Litothamnion valens
Lithothamnion minervae
Lithophyllum racemus
Phymatolithon calcareum
CAR/ASP
Main algae and invertebrates that can make facies are, at least, in the western Mediterranean:
Algae:
Halimeda tuna
Invertebrates:
Spongia agaricina
Paramuricea clavata
Axinella
polypoides
Alcyonium acaule
Flabellia petiolata
Hexadella racovitzai
Corallium rubrum
Laminaria rodriguezii
Aplysina cavernicola
Leptopsammia pruvoti
Agelas oroides
Parazoanthus axinellae
Phyllariopsis brevipes
Massive
sponges
(Faciospongia
spp.,
Large
bryozoans
(Hornera
Laminar Red Algae
Cacospongia spp.,Ircinidae,Geodididae)
frondiculata, Pentapora fascialis)
Spirastrella cunctatrix
Encrusting bryozoans (Schizomavella
spp., Parasmittina spp.)
Eunicella cavolinii
Eunicella singularis
Big ascidians
Other facies can also be found.
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Action plan for the conservation of the oralligenous and other calcareous bio-concretions in the mediterranean sea
L.Vanrell
A considerable amount of research has been done on the biodiversity hosted by coralligenous
frameworks. Ballesteros (2006) estimates a preliminary account of up to 1666 species at the scale of
the Mediterranean Sea that have been reported from these frameworks. However these estimates are
far from real and it is, thus, necessary to make a reference list of species that are found in coralligenous
outcrops. It is also necessary to evaluate the total number of species of some relatively well known
locations, as well as the level of species similarity between these locations in order to have an idea of
the amount of large scale variability.The same kind of work has to be done for marl beds.
There are several ways to proceed in order to obtain this list.We propose the following way:
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Action plan for the conservation of the oralligenous and other calcareous bio-concretions in the mediterranean sea
1 To make preliminary lists (global and local scales) considering data obtained after consulting
the available literature.
2 To circulate the resulting lists amongst specialists of each taxonomic group, who may increase
the lists according to the more specific taxonomic literature and his own expertise.
3 To compile all the information giving the final species lists.
These lists should contain other interesting information such as:
Precedence of the citations (bibliography/taxonomist) to check the original source.
Geographical area.
Abundance (e.g. very abundant, abundant, common, rare, accidental).
Fidelity to coralligenous outcrops (e.g. exclusive characteristics, elective characteristics,
preferential characteristics, indifferent, accidental) (see Prs & Picard, 1964; Cormaci et al., 2004).
Another interesting issue is the collection of new data. Several methodologies have been used in
sampling rocky benthic systems and marl beds (e.g. Bianchi et al., 2004) and all of them present
advantages and disadvantages. Moreover, suitability of each sampling method depends on the
purposes of the study and on the taxonomic group considered.
As no sampling methodology can be universally accepted,when making new inventories it is recommended to:
Use quantitative or semi-quantitative surveys instead of qualitative surveys wherever possible.
Clearly state the sampling and quantification methodology, including the period of the year, in
order that it could be repeated in the future by independent teams for further comparison of data.
Samples have to be geographically positioned in the most accurate way.
Sampling has to be representative. Therefore, sampling areas should be larger than minimal
sampling areas. It has to be noted that different taxonomic groups must be sampled using
completely different representative areas.
Action plan for the conservation of the oralligenous and other calcareous bio-concretions in the mediterranean sea
J.G. Harmelin
Especially healthy coralligenous and marl communities are worth to be selected as reference points.
Coralligenous communities and marl beds under clearly recognisable direct or indirect anthropogenic
disturbances are worth to be selected in order to assess the impact of these disturbances.
Conservation
Cartography
Management
Action plan for the conservation of the oralligenous and other calcareous bio-concretions in the mediterranean sea
III.1.Types of monitoring
Monitoring should be addressed to answer questions concerning (1) the changes through time in
the composition of coralligenous/marl assemblages, (2) the viability of the populations of plants and
animals thriving in these assemblages per se or (3) subjected to natural or anthropogenic
disturbances, or (4) the selection of species that can be used as bioindicators. Every type of
monitoring needs different methodological approaches.
Action plan for the conservation of the oralligenous and other calcareous bio-concretions in the mediterranean sea
P. Sanchez
collection of a great number of samples (photographs) in a reduced period of time, excelling in the
ratio between obtained information and diving time.The decrease in diver performance with depth
due to nitrogen narcosis and the resulting lack of accuracy of measures is also greatly avoided.
However, an important drawback in photography is that whilst it performs very well in 2D
organisms and structures, its application in 3D organisms (e.g. gorgonians, some sponges and
bryozoans) is far much complicated and usually lacks of enough accuracy.
Quadrats, situated along a transect or haphazardly sampled, are largely used in benthos studies, both
in benthic surveys and monitorings. In coralligenous assemblages they have been mainly used to
estimate demographic parameters and to study the short and long term changes in gorgonian
populations (e.g. Harmelin & Marinopoulos, 1994; Coma et al., 2004; Linares et al., 2005; Linares
et al., in press). Quadrats can be portable or can be permanent and fixed in the sea bottom by lines,
following a transect.The size of the quadrat changes according to the objectives of the monitoring.
Half to one square meter frames are recommended to monitor abundant large-sized organisms
growing in coralligenous assemblages. Permanent quadrats are very useful to study the demography
of the main species and the dynamics of the entire community, whilst non permanent quadrats are
useful to study changes in sizes or abundances of one to several species. Quantification can easily
be performed by individual counting (density measurements) in entire quadrats (e.g. Coma et al.,
2006). Quadrats can be subdivided into grids of smaller quadrats and this allows divers to estimate
abundances in percentage cover (e.g. Fraschetti et al., 2001), or frequency evaluations (number of
sub-quadrats where a species is present; Sala & Ballesteros, 1997).
Monitoring of individuals/colonies is easily performed when a site is selected, all individuals mapped
and/or tagged and identified by a numbered code to facilitate its re-identification (e.g. Ballesteros, 1991;
Linares et al., 2005). These permanent sites can be partitioned in quadrats of 10x10 to 50x50 cm
(according to the size and distribution of monitored individuals) to facilitate mapping.The corners of
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Action plan for the conservation of the oralligenous and other calcareous bio-concretions in the mediterranean sea
each quadrat can be marked using PVC screws or steel climbing parabolas fixed to the substratum by
putty (e.g. Linares et al., 2005).
Monitoring of some environmental variables is also needed if we want to relate changes in the
coralligenous/marl assemblages with disturbances. Amongst the most important variables to be
monitored are: water temperature, sedimentation rates, nutrient concentration in seawater,
particulate organic matter and water transparency.
A specific workshop should be carried out including most specialists currently working in the
monitoring of coralligenous/marl assemblages. Even if it is difficult amongst scientists to propose
common standard methods for monitoring, it is always useful to make this kind of workshops in
order to know which are the methodologies that are being used and try to adopt techniques that
at least can be compared or intercalibrated. Main targets of this workshop should be devoted to
methodologies addressed to:
1 Large scale comparison of assemblages.
2 Medium to long-term changes in assemblage composition and species abun-dances.
3 Monitoring of engineering species (corallines, main algal stands, gorgonians, engineering
bryozoans, main sponges).
4 Monitoring of vagile species (fish, decapods, gastropods).
5 Growth and erosion rates in coralligenous/marl assemblages.
6 Impact of main disturbances affecting coralligenous/marl assemblages (trawling, mortality events,
degradation by waste water, diving activities, invasive species, artisanal fishing, silting).
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Action plan for the conservation of the oralligenous and other calcareous bio-concretions in the mediterranean sea
Copepods
Cumaceans
Isopods
Molluscs
Mysids
Nematods
Nemerteans
Ostracods
Phyllocarids
Polychaeta
Pycnogonids
Tanaidaceans
Further research in other groups is also acknowledged as it will surely provide new reports of
species for coralligenous outcrops and marl beds.
A. Bouajina
Processes taking place in coralligenous communities usually proceed very slowly (Garrabou et al.,
2002). Functioning of outstanding and key species also show low growth rates and low population
dynamics (see review in Ballesteros, 2006). Therefore, even if some of the patterns and processes
that have been described so far occur in short time periods (e.g. mortality events; Cerrano et al.,
2000; Garrabou et al., 2001), evolution of coralligenous can only be understood from a long-term
perspective. Marl beds are even less known as there are no comprehensive revisions in this subject
regarding Mediterranean rhodolits.
Monitored sites are recommended to be visited once a year. Even if seasonality in coralligenous/marl
communities is not as important as it is in shallower environments (Ballesteros, 2006), the monitoring
is recommended to be always performed at the same period of the year in order to facilitate
comparisons between years and sites. Summer and the beginning of autumn (July-October) is the best
time period to undertake the surveys because diving in deep waters is more secure.
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Action plan for the conservation of the oralligenous and other calcareous bio-concretions in the mediterranean sea
Sites should be selected according to (1) their representativeness at a large geographical scale, (2)
their accessibility and (3) the logistical facilities that may contribute to guarantee the monitoring.
Selection of reference sites are crucial to monitoring specifically addressed to determine the
response of assemblages to particular disturbances.
The monitoring should be designed to be as simple as possible. No standard methods have been
proposed and no environmental or ecological quality indexes have been established. A specific
methodology for long term studies devoted to look for the evolution of coralligenous/marl
communities can be suggested in the workshop to be conducted for monitoring activities.
IV.3. Functioning
Special care is to be taken for the study of the functioning of particular associations and species.
Specifically, long-lived plants and animals that usually are the engineering species of the coralligenous
or the most abundant calcareous algae in marl beds, need a detailed knowledge of their growth,
demographic patterns, vulnerability to disturbances and recovery capacities. RAC/SPA should
encourage these studies. Kinds of studies that merit specific attention are:
Environmental factors and biological processes that determine specific composition and structure
of coralligenous/marl communities.
Age determination and growth history of coralligenous concretions and marl rhodolits.
Growth requirements carbonate production rates, erosion rates, competence studies in corallines
and Peyssonnelia rosa-marina. Effects of sewage and silting on these processes.
Importance of excavating sponges, bivalves and annelids to the bioerosion of the
coralligenous/marl rhodolits. Differences between currently growing and subfossil coralligenous
outcrops. Effects of sewage and silting in bioerosion rates.
Effects of invasive algal species in coralligenous outcrops and marl beds: changes in biodiversity,
functional structure and long term dynamics of populations and communities.
Growth rates, ecophysiological features of structurally important soft algae: Peyssonnelia spp., Flabellia
petiolata, Halimeda tuna, Phyllariopsis brevipes, Laminaria rodriguezii, Osmundaria volubilis, Phyllophora crispa.
Contribution of bryozoans to coralligenous outcrops. Growth rates and carbonate production.
Population dynamics of gorgonians and alcyonarians (Paramuricea clavata, Corallium rubrum, Eunicella
cavolinii, Alcyonium acaule and others). Factors triggering mortality events. Species-specific
responses and adaptations to stress and disturbances.
Growth and population dynamics of specially relevant massive sponges (e.g. Axinella polypoides,
Axinella verrucosa, Spongia agaricina, Spongia officinalis). Factors triggering mortality events.
Growth and population dynamics of specially relevant massive ascidians (e.g. Halocynthia papillosa,
Pseudodistoma cyrnusense, Phallusia fumigata, Microcosmus spp., Aplidium spp.). Factors triggering
mortality events.
Dispersion of species/populations and genetic fluxes between populations at the Mediterranean
basin level.
Development of physiological markers providing information about population health in response
to different kinds of disturbances.
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Action plan for the conservation of the oralligenous and other calcareous bio-concretions in the mediterranean sea
V. Conservation activities
V.1. Major Threats
Major threats affecting coralligenous/marl communities roughly coincide with threats affecting
Mediterranean marine biodiversity and are listed in the Strategic Action Programme for the
Conservation of Biological Diversity (SAP BIO). However, due to its special habitat and features, not
all the threats listed in the SAP BIO affect coralligenous/marl communities, but some of them are
specially relevant. It follows a brief description of the main threats.
CAR/ASP
V.1.1.Trawling
Trawling is probably the most destructive impact currently affecting coralligenous communities.
Trawling is also completely destructive in marl beds, being the main cause of marl disappearance in
large Mediterranean areas.The action of trawling gear over coralligenous/marl assemblages leads to
the death of most engineering, dominant and builder species, completely changing the environmental
conditions of the coralligenous microhabitats and from the marl environment. As most of these
species are particularly long-lived, have low recruitment and complex demographic patterns,
destruction of the coralligenous/marl structure is critical as their recovery will probably take several
decades or even centuries. Trawling has also a great impact on target species that, although not as
vulnerable as most suspension feeders, they also suffer from this indiscriminate method of fishing.
Finally, even the performance of trawling close to coralligenous outcrops or marl beds affects
negatively to algal growth and suspension-feeding due to an increase in turbidity and sedimentation.
Action plan for the conservation of the oralligenous and other calcareous bio-concretions in the mediterranean sea
Special care has to be taken with the commercial exploitation of red coral (Corallium rubrum), whose
stocks have strongly declined in most areas. Adequate management of this extremely valuable and
long-lived species is necessary. It is also important to remember that trammel nets and even nylon
threads can exert an important impact on gorgonians and other erect species (e.g. Laminaria
rodriguezii, Axinella spp., Hornera frondiculata) (Tunesi et al., 1991).
V.1.3. Anchoring
Anchoring has a very severe impact in coralligenous concretions, as most of the engineering
organisms are very fragile and are easily detached or broken by anchors and chains. Coralligenous
concretions of frequently visited sites by recreational fishing or diving activities are degraded by the
destructive potential of anchors.
V.1.4. Invasive species
There is an absolute lack of knowledge on the effects that lessepsian species have on
coralligenous/marl communities in the Eastern Mediterranean. Currently, at least three algal species
are threatening coralligenous/marl communities in the Western Mediterranean: Womersleyella
setacea, Acrothamnion preissii, Caulerpa racemosa v. cylindracea and Caulerpa taxifolia. All of them are
only invasive in relatively shallow water coralligenous outcrops and marl beds (until 60 m), where
irradiance levels are sufficient to permit their growth. However, they are especially dangerous,
because they completely cover the basal stratum of encrusting corallines and increase
sedimentation rates which lead to a total shut down of coralligenous growth or the survival of
rhodolits.
V.1.5. Global warming
Anomalous high water temperatures seem to trigger large scale mortalities of several suspension
feeders growing in coralligenous assemblages (Cerrano et al., 2000; Prez et al., 2000). Thus, it is
expected that if the current pattern of global warming continues, it will surely affect more frequently
the populations of gorgonians and sponges thriving in coralligenous communities situated above the
summer level of the thermocline, leading to their eventual total demise.
V.1.6.Waste water discharges
Waste waters profoundly affect the structure of coralligenous communities by inhibiting coralline
algal growth, increasing bioerosion rates, decreasing species richness and densities of the largest
individuals of the epifauna, eliminating some taxonomical groups and increasing the abundance of
highly tolerant species (Hong, 1980, 1982; Cormaci et al., 1985; Ballesteros, 2006). Although no
information is available on the impact of eutrophication in Mediterranean marl beds, the effects
must be similar to those reported for coralligenous concretions.
V.1.7. Aquaculture
Although there are no studies on the impact of aquaculture facilities situated over or at the
proximity of coralligenous outcrops, nor marl beds, their effects should match those produced by
waste water dumping.
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Action plan for the conservation of the oralligenous and other calcareous bio-concretions in the mediterranean sea
L.Vanrell
Action plan for the conservation of the oralligenous and other calcareous bio-concretions in the mediterranean sea
Regarding again European countries, recently (21 December 2006), it was published a Council
Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006 concerning management measures for the sustainable exploitation
of fishery resources in the Mediterranean Sea, amending Regulation (EEC) No 2847/93 and repealing
Regulation (EC) No 1626/94 which states that Fishing trawl nets, dredges, shore seines or
similar nets above coralligenous habitats and marl beds shall be prohibited (Article
4.2) and that this prohibition shall apply to all Natura 2006 sites, all special protected areas
and all specially protected areas of Mediterranean interest (SPAMI) which have been
designated for the purpose of the conservation of these habitats under either Directive
92/43/EEC or Decision 1999/800/EEC (Article 4.4).
National legislation for the protection of coralligenous assemblages is recommended to be
promulgated as soon as possible.
Engineering and endangered species developing in coralligenous assemblages should get legal
protection in order to control and, if necessary, to prohibit any type of destruction or disturbance
of these species. Appropriate, scientifically-based, management plans have to be implemented for
the exploitation of natural resources (e.g. fish, crustaceans, red coral, commercial sponges).
Anthropogenic activities being performed in or at the vicinity of coralligenous/marl assemblages
should be regulated in order to decrease the level of impact compatible with the sustainability of
the assemblages and their populations. Specific measures aimed at protecting the
coralligenous/marl environments might include the following (Ballesteros, 2006):
1 Waste water dumping should be banned over coralligenous/marl bottoms, and in their vicinity.
2 Trawling must be completely prohibited in areas with marl beds and coralligenous outcrops and
in their vicinity, the aim being to avoid not only the physical damage caused by trawling over
coralligenous/marl assemblages but also the indirect effects due to increased turbidity and silting.
3 Any other anthropogenic activity involving an increase in water turbidity and/or sediment removal
(e.g. coastline modification, beach regeneration, dredging, aquaculture projects) should be avoided
in the vicinity of coralligenous outcrops or marl beds.
4 Correct management of traditional and recreational fisheries must be implemented in order to
prevent stock depletion of target fish and invertebrates. Fishing nets have to be avoided in places
with populations of long-lived erect invertebrates (e.g. gorgonians, some sponges) and algae (e.g.
Laminaria rodriguezii).
5 The impact of diving must be compatible with the normal functioning and conservation of the
coralligenous environment and their species.
6 The enactment of suitable legislation concerning the introduction of alien species is urgently
needed.
Guidelines for the assessment of environmental impact on coralligenous/marl assemblages will
have to be elaborated.
19
Action plan for the conservation of the oralligenous and other calcareous bio-concretions in the mediterranean sea
G. Pergent
Countries have to identify and cartography as soon as possible sea bottoms covered by
coralligenous outcrops and marl beds in order to design a network of MPAs that enables the
protection of coralligenous/marl assemblages.
Seamounts situated far away from the coastline deserve special attention due to its isolated
geographical position and, usually, lack of knowledge. In particular the following areas are of regional
(Mediterranean) interest:
20
Action plan for the conservation of the oralligenous and other calcareous bio-concretions in the mediterranean sea
Those Mediterranean MPAs, which contain coralligenous/marl assemblages and for which
management and monitoring plans have not yet been developed and implemented, must be provided
with such plans as soon as possible.
VI. Coordination of this Action plan with other tools and initiatives
The Standard Data Form (SDF), developed by RAC/SPA, can be used to identify potentially good
sites for the establishment of MPAs devoted to protect coralligenous/marl assemblages.
However the SDF is not appropriate to be used in the monitoring of coralligenous/marl
assemblages since it has been designed for the inventory of sites and habitats but not for an accurate
assessment of multi-species population densities and their evolution. Annex B (habitat types) from
the SDF should be slightly modified in the point IV.3.1 (Coralligenous biocenosis), according to
current knowledge. Species appearing in annex C should be slightly enlarged in order to include
several engineering coralligenous species according to the adopted criteria for amendments of the
Annexes (II & III) of the Protocol SPA-BD.
This Action plan for the Conservation of Coralligenous and marl assemblages should be included
in the Action plan for the Conservation of Marine Vegetation (MVAP). Even if the MVAP concerns
plant dominated assemblages, it doesnt exclude animal assemblages and most of the priorities at
national and regional levels as well as some of the objectives are nearly the same.
MPAs classified as SPAMIs and containing coralligenous/marl assemblages inside their protected
areas should develop management and protection plans to ensure their conservation.
21
Action plan for the conservation of the oralligenous and other calcareous bio-concretions in the mediterranean sea
Timetable
Taking into consideration all the observations stated above, the following actions can be considered:
Action
Time
Definition of what assemblages are to be included in this Action plan: Coralligenous As soon as
frameworks and marl beds or circalittoral rocky bottom communities?
possible
To provide a check list of all the species that are able to thrive in coralligenous/marl 1 year from
communities using published literature, unpublished reports and expert
adoption
assessment. Species names (with authorities), citations, geo-referenced localities,
abundances, and habitat features have to be included.This check-list has to be
designed as a data base with an incorporated GIS.
To create a website as a part of the Mediterranean CHM on marine & coastal
Ongoing
biodiversity to help in the taxonomical identification of the main species
thriving in coralligenous/marl assemblages, including :
A bibliographic data base with all the information concerning coralligenous/marl
assemblages with indication of the topics they cover (e.g. biodiversity and taxonomy,
descriptive ecology, functional ecology, composition, environmental factors,
cartography, conservation, disturbances).
A data base on coralligenous/marl assemblages.
Directory of
Taxonomists that could provide information on species thriving
in coralligenous/marl assemblages.
Scientists currently working in the coralligenous/marl environment.
Research institutions
To propose standard methodologies for the inventory and monitoring of
2 years from
coralligenous/marl communities and their main species.
adoption
To support and/or encourage field missions devoted to increase the knowledge on Ongoing
the distribution, cartography and biodiversity of coralligenous/marl assemblages.
Special attention is to be paid in the Eastern Mediterranean and North of Africa.
To provide a geo-referenced list of all the sites known to harbour
2 years from
coralligenous/marl communities, with indication of depth intervals and (if possible) adoption
coralligenous/marl facies or more conspicuous species.
To propose the creation of MPAs in areas harbouring well developed coralligenous 3 years from
outcrops or marl beds.
adoption
Organisation of a periodical Workshop devoted to coralligenous concretions
Each 3 years
and marl beds (back to back with the symposium on marine vegetation)
Organisation of practical training workshops in order to acquire good taxonomical As needed
skills and to learn monitoring methodologies.
To support and/or encourage taxonomic work to be made in some specially
Ongoing
unknown groups.
To support and/or encourage scientific studies devoted to increase the
knowledge on the functioning of coralligenous outcrops/marl beds.
To promote the conservation of coralligenous/marl assemblages
To foster the conservation of coralligenous/marl assemblages situated in
international waters (e.g.Alboran Sea, Sicily Channel).
22
who
RAC/SPA
& Partners
RAC/SPA
& Partners
RAC/SPA
RAC/SPA &
Partners
RAC/SPA &
Contracting
Parties
RAC/SPA
Contracting
Parties
RAC/SPA
RAC/SPA
RAC/SPA &
Contracting
Parties
Ongoing
RAC/SPA &
Contracting
Parties
Ongoing
Contracting
Parties
4 years from RAC/SPA &
adoption
Parties
Action plan for the conservation of the oralligenous and other calcareous bio-concretions in the mediterranean sea
VII. References
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Bianchi, C.N., Pronzato, R. Cattaneo-Vietti, R., Benedetti-Cecchi, L., Morri, C., Pansini, M., Chemello,
R. Milazzo, M., Fraschetti, S., Terlizzi, A., Peirano, A., Salvati, E., Benzoni, F., Calcinai, B., Cerrano, C.,
Bavestrello, G. 2004. Hard bottoms. Biol. Mar. Medit. 11 (suppl. 1): 185-215.
BIOMAERL Team, 2003. Conservation and management of Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean
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Boudouresque, C.F. 1971. Mthodes dtude qualitative et quantitative du benthos (en particulier du
phytobenthos). Tthys 3: 79-104.
Braun-Blanquet, J. 1979. Fitosociologa. Blume. Madrid.
Cebrian, E., Ballesteros, E. 2004. Zonation patterns of benthic communities in an upwelling area from
the western Mediterranean (La Herradura,Alboran Sea). Sci. Mar. 68: 69-84.
Cerrano, C., Bavestrello, G., Bianchi, C.N., Cattaneo-Vietti, R., Bava, S., Morganti, C., Morri, C., Picco,
P., Sara, G., Schiaparelli, S., Siccardi, A., Sponga, F. 2000. A catastrophic mass-mortality episode of
gorgonians and other organisms in the Ligurian Sea (NW Mediterranean), summer 1999. Ecol. Lett.
3: 284-293.
Coma, R., Linares, C., Ribes, M., Daz, D., Garrabou, J., Ballesteros, E. 2006. Consequences of a mass
mortality in populations of Eunicella singularis (Cnidaria: Octocorallia) in Menorca (NW
Mediterranean). Mar. Ecol. Progr. Ser. 327: 51-60.
Coma, R., Pol, E., Ribes, M., Zabala, M. 2004. Long-term assessment of temperate octocoral mortality
patterns, protected vs. unprotected areas. Ecol. Appl. 14: 1466-1478.
Cormaci, M., Furnari, G., Giaccone, G. 2004. Macrophytobenthos. Biol. Mar. Medit. 11(suppl. 1): 217246.
Cormaci, M., Furnari, G., Scamacca, B. 1985. Osservazioni sulle fitocenosi bentoniche del golfo di
Augusta (Siracusa). Bollettino dellAccademia Gioenia Scienze Naturalli 18: 851-872.
Di Nora,T.,Agnesi, S.,Tunesi, L. 2007. Planning of marine protected areas: useful elements to identify
the most relevant scuba-diving sites. Rapp. Comm. int. Mer Mdit., 38.
Fraschetti, S., Bianchi, C.N., Terlizzi, A., Fanelli, G., Morri, C., Boero, F. 2001. Spatial variability and
human disturbance in shallow subtidal hard substrate assemblages: a regional approach. Mar. Ecol.
Progr. Ser. 212: 1-12.
23
Action plan for the conservation of the oralligenous and other calcareous bio-concretions in the mediterranean sea
Garca-Carrascosa,A.M. 1987. El bentos de los alrededores de las Islas Columbretes. Elementos para
su cartografa bentnica. In: Islas Columbretes: Contribucin al estudio de su medio natural. L.A. Alonso,
J.L. Carretero & A.M. Garca-Carrascosa (coords.). COPUT, Generalitat Valenciana,Valencia: 477-507.
Garrabou, J. 1998. Applying a Geographical Information System (GIS) to the study of growth of
benthic clonal organisms. Mar. Ecol. Progr. Ser. 173: 227-235.
Garrabou, J. 1999. Life history traits of Alcyonium acaule and Parazoanthus axinellae (Cnidaria,
Anthozoa), with emphasis on growth. Mar. Ecol. Progr. Ser. 178: 193-204.
Garrabou, J., Ballesteros, E. 2000. Growth of Mesophyllum alternans and Lithophyllum frondosum
(Corallinaceae, Rhodophyta) in the Northwestern Mediterranean. Eur. J. Phycol. 35: 1-10.
Garrabou, J., Ballesteros, E., Zabala, M. 2002. Structure and dynamics of north-western
Mediterranean rocky benthic communities along a depth gradient. Est. Coast. Shelf Sci. 55: 493-508.
Garrabou, J., Perez,T., Sartoretto, S., Harmelin, J.G. 2001. Mass mortality event in red coral (Corallium
rubrum, Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Octocorallia) population in the Provence region (France, NW
Mediterranean). Mar. Ecol. Progr. Ser. 217: 263-272.
Garrabou, J., Sala, E.,Arcas,A., Zabala, M. 1998.The impact of diving on rocky sublittoral communities:
a case study of a bryozoan population. Conserv. Biol. 12: 302-312.
Garrabou, J., Zabala, M. 2001. Growth dynamics in four Mediterranean demosponges. Estuar. Coast.
Shelf Sci. 52: 293-303.
Germonpre, P. 2006.The medical risks of underwater diving and their control. Int. Sport. J. 7: 1-15.
Gili, J.M., Ros, J. 1987. Study and cartography of the benthic communities of Medes Islands (NE
Spain). P.S.Z.N.I. Mar. Ecol. 6: 219-238.
Harmelin, J.G., Marinopoulos, J. 1994. Population structure and partial mortality of the gorgonian
Paramuricea clavata (Risso) in the north-western Mediterranean (France, Port-Cros Island). Marine
Life 4: 5-13.
Hong, J.S. 1980. tude faunistique d'un fond de concrtionnement de type coralligne soumis un gradient
de pollution en Mditerrane nord-occidentale (Golfe de Fos). Thse de Doctorat. Universit d'AixMarseille II.
Hong, J.S. 1982. Contribution l'tude des peuplements d'un fond coralligne dans la rgion
marseillaise en Mditerrane Nord-Occidentale. Bulletin of Korea Ocean Research and Development
Institute 4: 27-51.
Laborel, J. 1987. Marine biogenic constructions in the Mediterranean. Sci. Rep. Port-Cros natl. Park
13: 97-126.
Linares, C., Coma, R., Diaz, D., Zabala, M., Hereu, B., Dantart, L. 2005. Immediate and delayed effects
of mass mortality event on gorgonian population dynamics and benthic community structure in the
NW Mediterranean. Mar. Ecol. Progr. Ser. 305: 127-137.
24
Action plan for the conservation of the oralligenous and other calcareous bio-concretions in the mediterranean sea
Linares, C. 2006. Population ecology and conservation of a long-lived marine species: the red gorgonian
Paramuricea clavata.Tesi Doctoral. Universitat de Barcelona. 210 pp.
Linares, C., Doak, D.F., Coma, R., Daz, D., Zabala, M. in press. Life history and population viability of
a long-lived marine invertebrate: the octocoral Paramuricea clavata. Ecology.
Prs, J., Picard, J.M. 1964. Nouveau manuel de bionomie benthique de la mer Mditerrane. Recueil
Travaux Station Marine Endoume 31(47): 1-131.
Prez, T., Garrabou, J., Sartoretto, S., Harmelin, J.G., Francour, P., Vacelet, J. 2000. Mortalit massive
d'invertbrs marins: un vnement sans prcdent en Mditerrane nord-occidentale. Comptes
Rendus Acadmie des Sciences Srie III, Life Sciences 323: 853-865.
Ramos, A.A. 1985. Contribucin al conocimiento de las biocenosis bentnicas litorales de la Isla
Plana o Nueva Tabarca (Alicante). In: La reserva marina de la Isla Plana o Nueva Tabarca (Alicante).A.A.
Ramos (ed.),Ayuntamiento de Alicante-Universidad de Alicante: 111-147.
Sala, E., Ballesteros, E. 1997. Partitioning of space and food resources by three fishes of the
genus Diplodus (Sparidae) in a Mediterranean rocky infralittoral ecosystem. Mar. Ecol. Progr. Ser.
152: 273-283.
Sala, E., Garrabou, J., Zabala, M. 1996. Effects of diver frequentation on Mediterranean sublittoral
populations of the bryozoan Pentapora fascialis. Mar. Biol. 126: 451-459.
Templado, J., Calvo, M. (eds.). 2002. Flora y Fauna de la Reserva Marina de las Islas Columbretes.
Secretara Gral. De Pesca Martima, M de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentacin, Madrid, 263 pp.
Templado, J., Calvo, M. (eds.). 2006. Flora y Fauna de la Reserva Marina y Reserva de Pesca de
la Isla de Alborn. Secretara Gral. De Pesca Martima, M de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentacin,
Madrid, 269 pp.
Tetzaff, K., Thorsen, E. 2005. Breathing at depth: physiological and clinical aspects of diving when
breathing compressed air. Clin. Chest Med. 26: 355-380.
Tunesi, L., Peirano, A., Romeo, G, Sassarini, M., 1991. Problmatiques de la protection des fcies
Gorgonaires sur les fonds ctiers de Cinque Terre (Mer Ligure, Italie). In: Les Espces marines
protger en Mditerrane (C.F. Boudouresque, M. Avon & V. Gravez, eds.). GIS Posidonie, Marseille:
65-70.
Villa, F.,Tunesi, L.,Agardy,T. 2002. Optimal zoning of marine protected areas through spatial multiple
criteria analysis: the case of Asinara Island National Marine Reserve of Italy. Conserv. Biol. 16: 1-12.
25
Note : Les appellations employes dans ce document et la prsentation des donnes qui y figurent
nimpliquent de la part du CAR/ASP et du PNUE aucune prise de position quant au statut juridique
des tats, territoires, villes ou zones, ou de leurs autorits, ni quant au trac de leurs frontires ou
limites.
2008
Le texte de la prsente publication peut tre reproduit, des fins ducatives ou non lucratives, en
tout ou en partie, et sous une forme quelconque, sans quil soit ncessaire de demander une
autorisation spciale au dtenteur du copyright, condition de faire mention de la source. Le PNUEPAM-CAR/ASP apprcierait recevoir une copie de toute publication utilisant la prsente publication
comme source.
Il nest pas possible dutiliser la prsente publication pour la revente ou toutes autres fins
commerciales sans en demander au pralable par crit la permission au PNUE-PAM-CAR/ASP.
Pour des fins bibliographiques, citer le prsent volume comme suit :
PNUE-PAM-CAR/ASP. 2008. Plan daction pour la conservation du coralligne et des autres bioconcrtionnements calcaires de Mditerrane. Ed. CAR/ASP,Tunis : 21 pp.
La version prliminaire a t prpar pour le CAR/ASP par :
Enric Ballesteros,
Centre dEstudis Avanats de Blanes CSIC.Acc.
Cala Sant Francesc 14. E-17300 Blanes, Girona, Espagne
Email : kike@ceab.csic.es
Avec la contribution de : Kerim Ben Mustapha, Ghazi Bitar, Rafel Coma, Joaquim Garrabou, Giuseppe
Giaccone, Jean Georges Harmelin, Lucien Laubier, Cristina Linares,Alfonso Ramos et Leonardo Tunesi.
Traduction en franais : C. Pergent Martini
Ce document nest pas un document
officiel des Nations Unies
SOMMAIRE
AVANT-PROPOS............................................................................................................................................ 30
I. LA SITUATION ACTUELLE DU CORALLIGNE.............................................................................. 31
I.1. Les connaissances actuelles............................................................................................................ 31
I.2. La distribution ................................................................................................................................... 31
I.3. La composition.................................................................................................................................. 32
II. LE RECUEIL DE DONNES ET LES INVENTAIRES ........................................................................ 34
II.1. Les inventaires spcifiques............................................................................................................. 34
II.2. Les sites dintrt particulier........................................................................................................ 36
II.3. Les institutions et les chercheurs spcialiss............................................................................ 37
III. LES ACTIVITS DE SUIVI ....................................................................................................................... 37
III.1. Les types de suivi ........................................................................................................................... 37
III.2. Les mthodes de suivi................................................................................................................... 37
IV. LES ACTIVITS DE RECHERCHE ........................................................................................................ 40
IV.1. La taxonomie................................................................................................................................... 40
IV.2. Evolution long terme.................................................................................................................. 42
IV.3. Le fonctionnement ......................................................................................................................... 43
V. LES ACTIVITS DE CONSERVATION ................................................................................................. 44
V.1. Les principales menaces................................................................................................................. 44
V.1.1. Le chalutage............................................................................................................................ 44
V.1.2. La pche artisanale et de loisirs ........................................................................................ 45
V.1.3. Lancrage.................................................................................................................................. 45
V.1.4. Les espces envahissantes................................................................................................... 45
V.1.5. Le rchauffement plantaire ............................................................................................... 46
V.1.6. Les dversements deaux uses......................................................................................... 46
V.1.7. Laquaculture .......................................................................................................................... 46
V.1.8. Les changements dans lusage des terres et lurbanisation et la construction
dinfrastructure ctire........................................................................................................ 46
V.1.9. Les activits de loisirs (en dehors de la pche) ............................................................ 45
V.1.10. Les agrgats dalgues mucilagineuses et filamenteuses .............................................. 46
V.2. La lgislation et les rglements .................................................................................................... 47
V.3. La cration dAires Marines Protges ...................................................................................... 49
VI. COORDINATION DU PLAN DACTION AVEC DAUTRES OUTILS ET INITIATIVES.......... 51
VII. CALENDRIER .......................................................................................................................................... 52
VIII. RFRENCES BIBLIOGRAPHIQUES................................................................................................ 53
AVANT-PROPOS
Le plan d'action pour la conservation du coralligne et des autres bio-concrtionnements calcaires
de Mditerrane, fait suite une srie de six plans d'action adopts par les pays mditerranens
dans le cadre de la Convention de Barcelone et consacrs la conservation d'espces ou groupes
d'espces. Ces plans d'action sont :
Plan d'action pour la gestion du phoque moine de Mditerrane
Plan d'action pour la conservation des tortues marines de Mditerrane
Plan d'action pour la conservation des ctacs en mer Mditerrane
Plan d'action pour la conservation de la vgtation marine en mer Mditerrane
Plan dAction pour la conservation des espces doiseaux inscrites en annexe II du Protocole
relatif aux Aires Spcialement Protges et la diversit Biologique en Mditerrane.
Plan d'action pour la conservation des poissons cartilagineux (Chondrichtyens) en Mditerrane
Bien qu'ils n'aient pas un caractre juridique contraignant, ces plans d'action ont t adopts par les
Parties contractantes en tant que stratgies rgionales fixant les priorits et les activits mener.
Ils appellent notamment plus de solidarit entre les Etats de la rgion et la coordination des
efforts pour sauvegarder les espces en question. Cette approche s'est avre ncessaire pour
assurer une conservation et une gestion durable des espces concernes dans toute leur aire de
rpartition mditerranenne.
Ce plan daction est le rsultat dune runion dexperts organise Tabarka (Tunisie), par le
CAR/ASP, les 6 et 7 Mai 2006. Il donne la priorit aux peuplements corallignes, dautant que les
bio-concrtionnements superficiels tels que les trottoirs Dendropoma petraeum ou Lithophyllum
byssoides sont dj inclus dans le Plan dAction pour la Conservation de la Vgtation Marine en
Mditerrane et ne requirent pas une attention supplmentaire. Il en est de mme pour les
espces de Cystoseira spp. deaux profondes, qui ont parfois t rfrences comme facis
particulier des peuplements corallignes, mais ne sont pas prises en compte dans ce document. Les
bancs de marl reprsentent un cas particulier, dans la mesure o la production de carbonate
constitue leur caractristique principale mme sils manquent de relles structures calcaires. De
plus, ils ne sont habituellement pas pris en considration dans le cadre du Plan dAction pour la
Conservation de la Vgtation Marine en Mditerrane, et ils se dveloppent dans les mmes sites
que les assemblages corallignes.
Par consquent, mme si ce plan daction est consacr la conservation des formations
corallignes, les bancs de marl y sont inclus, non pas en tant que facis particulier du coralligne
mais en tant quenvironnement carbonate se dveloppant dans des conditions de lumire rduite
et mritant des mesures de protection et de gestion identiques celles des structures corallignes.
Dans ce plan daction, le coralligne est considr comme un paysage sous-marin typique de la
Mditerrane, constitu par une structure dalgues corallines qui se dveloppent dans des
conditions de faible luminosit et dans des eaux relativement calmes (Ballesteros, 2006). Les bancs
de marl mditerranens doivent tre considrs comme des fonds sdimentaires couverts par un
tapis dalgues calcaires vivantes libres (Corallinales ou Peyssonneliaceae) qui se dveloppent
galement dans des conditions de faible luminosit.
30
I.2. La distribution
Labsence de donnes cartographiques sur la distribution gnrale des peuplements corallignes
constitue lune des plus importantes lacunes relative ltat actuel des connaissances sur lhabitat du
coralligne et des bancs de marl. Certaines donnes cartographiques ont t publies sur des
emplacements dtermins, notamment pour la zone de Banyuls sur mer (les caps lAbeille et
Oullestreil), les Iles Mdes,Tabarca ou Port-Cros. Les donnes gographiques, de mme que celles sur
la distribution en profondeur, sont essentielles pour connatre ltendue relle de ces peuplements en
mer Mditerrane et pour mettre en uvre des mesures de gestion appropries pour garantir leur
conservation.Afin damliorer cette situation, les actions suivantes sont proposes :
1.- Compiler toutes les informations existantes, tous les niveaux et toutes les chelles, sur la
distribution des peuplements corallignes et des bancs de marl. Paralllement ces informations
facilement disponibles (car publies) sur la distribution de ces peuplements dans certaines Aires
Marines Protges (AMP ; notamment Ramos, 1985; Garcia Carrascosa, 1987; Gili & Ros, 1987;
Templado & Calvo, 2002; Belsher et al., 2005; Templado & Calvo, 2006), il existe dautres rapports
non publis rassemblant de nombreuses informations. La collaboration des gestionnaires des AMP
est requise. Il est suggr de prendre contacts galement avec les principales agences travaillant sur
le milieu marin (notamment IFREMER, IEO, ISPRA), les universits et les instituts de recherche sur
les sciences marines, car ils possdent de nombreuses informations non publies sur la distribution
des communauts benthiques ctires. Dans les pays mditerranens qui nont pas de longue
31
tradition dinstituts sur les sciences marines, la collaboration avec les pcheurs et les plongeurs
(professionnels ou sportifs) peut probablement constituer la seule source dinformation.
2.- Des missions ponctuelles sur le terrain doivent tre envisages dans des lieux peu connus mais
qui sont supposs abriter de grands peuplements corallignes et de bancs de marl. La Mditerrane
orientale devrait tre tudie de faon extensive.
I.3. La composition
A. Bouajina
Les concrtions corallignes sont le rsultat dactivits de construction, par des algues et des animaux
constructeurs, et des processus drosion physique et biologique. Le rsultat final est une structure
extrmement complexe compose de plusieurs microhabitats. Les facteurs environnementaux (e.g.
lumire, mouvements de leau, taux de sdimentation) peuvent varier de plusieurs ordres de
magnitude, en diffrents points, trs proches les uns des autres, dune mme concrtion.. Cette grande
htrognit environnementale permet des peuplements divers de cohabiter dans un espace rduit.
Les formations situes en milieux ouverts (surfaces horizontales pratiquement verticales) peuvent
tre facilement distingues de celles situs en surplomb et dans des cavits.
Les algues dominent gnralement sur les surfaces horizontales subhorizontales, mme si leur
abondance dcrot avec lintensit lumineuse. Deux communauts principales ont t observes en
Mditerrane occidentale : un peuplement domin par Halimeda tuna et Mesophyllum alternans
(Lithophyllo-Halimedetum tunae), qui se dveloppe dans des niveaux forte intensit lumieuse et un
peuplement domin par les corallines encrotantes (Lithophyllum frondosum, L. cabiochae, Neogoniolithon
mamillosum) et Peyssonnelia rosa-marina (Rodriguezelletum strafforelloi), recevant de faibles intensits
lumineuses. Les peuplements animaux peuvent diffrer fortement en fonction du niveau de lumire qui
atteint les affleurements corallignes mais galement en fonction de lintensit du courant, des taux de
sdimentation et des zones gographiques. Dans les zones les plus riches, relativement plus
32
eutrophises, avec une temprature de leau plutt constante et basse, les gorgonaires dominent
gnralement la communaut, mais elles sont compltement absentes ou rares dans les zones plus
oligotrophes ou faible courant avec une temprature plutt leve ou variable en fonction de la
saison, et sont remplaces alors par les ponges, les bryozoaires ou les ascidies.
Les bancs de marl sont galement trs divers. Mme si ils sont constitus principalement de corallines
(Spongites fruticulosus, Lithothamnion corallioides, Phymatolithon calcareum, Lithothamnion valens,
Lithothamnion minervae,Litophyllum racemus,Lithophyllum frondosum et autres),les espces de Peyssonnelia
(principalement Peyssonnelia rosa-marina) peuvent aussi tre trs importantes. La couverture des algues
dresses dpend de chaque site particulier, affichant plusieurs facis (Osmundaria volubilis, Phyllophora
crispa, Kallymeniales, Laminaria rodriguezii). Les ascidies peuvent galement constituer des facis et, dans
certains cas, les gorgonaires et/ou les bryozoaires peuvent tre relativement abondants.
Le groupe dexperts, Tabarka, avait suggr dutiliser la Liste de rfrence des types dhabitats qui
apparat sur le Formulaire Standard des Donnes (FSD) pour les inventaires nationaux, lors de
lexamen de la composition des peuplements corallignes.
Il est suggr lors de la description de la composition des peuplements corallignes et des bancs de
marl dtre le plus prcis possible, en introduisant les noms des principales espces dalgues
impliques dans la construction de la structure algale ou qui sont dominantes dans les bancs de marl,
de mme que les algues dresses et les invertbrs les plus visibles. La meilleure faon pour y parvenir
serait de demander des biologistes entrains dtablir une liste des espces in situ, quantifie selon
la mthode de Braun-Blanquet (1979) (Cebrian & Ballesteros, 2004). Alternativement, il serait possible
didentifier le peuplement algal en tenant compte des deux principales associations dcrites pour les
peuplements corallignes, qui sont Lithophyllo-Halimedetum tunae et Rodriguezelletum straforelloi, ainsi
que les noms des ponges, des cnidaires ou des bryozoaires les plus visibles. Pour les bancs de marl,
cette description est galement possible en nommant les principales espces de marl et dalgues
dresses, ainsi que les principaux macro invertbrs.
- Mesophyllum alternans
- Mesophyllum expansum
- Lithophyllum frondosum (= L. stictaeforme)
- Lithophyllum cabiochae
- Neogoniolithon mamillosum
- Peyssonnelia rosa-marina
- Lithothamnion philippii
- Spongites fruticulosus
- Lithothamnion corallioides
- Lithothamnion valens
- Lithothamnion minervae
- Lithophyllum racemes
- Phymatolithon calcareum
C. Pergent Martini
33
P. Sanchez
Les principaux invertbrs et algues qui peuvent constituer le facis sont, du moins en Mditerrane
occidentale :
Invertbrs :
- Spongia agaricina
- Eunicella singularis
Algues :
Axinella
polypoides
- Paramuricea clavata
- Halimeda tuna
- Hexadella racovitzai
- Alcyonium acaule
- Flabellia petiolata
Aplysina
cavernicola
- Corallium rubrum
- Laminaria rodriguezii
- Agelas oroides
- Leptopsammia pruvoti
- Phyllariopsis brevipes
Les
ponges
massives
(Faciospongia
- Parazoanthus axinellae
- Les algues rouges laminaires
spp., Cacospongia spp., Ircinidae, - Les grands bryozoaires (Hornera
Geodididae)
frondiculata, Pentapora fascialis)
- Spirastrella cunctatrix
- Les bryozoaires encroutants
- Eunicella cavolinii
(Schizomavella spp., Parasmittina
spp.)
Dautres facies peuvent galement tre trouvs
espces vagiles fourmillent partout, se dveloppant galement dans les petites taches de sdiments
emprisonnes par la structure. Lune des consquences de cette importante htrognit
environnementale est la prsence dune biodiversit leve et dun large ventail dorganismes dans
chaque affleurement coralligne.
Les bancs de marl sont considrablement moins complexes que les affleurements de coralligne
bien quils accueillent une piflore et une pifaune plus proches des plantes et des animaux
habituellement rencontrs sur substrat rocheux, mais aussi des invertbrs typiques des fonds
sdimentaires.
Une quantit considrable de recherches ont t effectues sur la biodiversit abrite par les
structures corallignes. Ballesteros (2006), partir dune tude prliminaire rapporte pour ces
structures un nombre de plus de 1666 espces lchelle de la mer Mditerrane. Toutefois, ces
estimations sont peut tre loin de la ralit et il est donc ncessaire dtablir une liste de rfrence
des espces partir des affleurements corallignes. Il convient galement dvaluer le nombre total
despces de quelques sites relativement bien connus, de mme que le niveau de similitude des
espces entre ces sites afin dvaluer la variabilit grande chelle. Le mme type de travail doit
tre ralis pour les bancs de marl.
Il existe plusieurs faons de procder afin dobtenir cette liste. La dmarche suivante est propose :
1- Etablir des listes prliminaires ( lchelle rgionale et locale) en tenant compte des donnes
obtenues aprs consultation de la littrature disponible.
2- Distribuer ces listes aux spcialistes de chaque groupe taxonomique qui pourraient les
complter en fonction de la littrature taxonomique spcifique et de leur propre expertise.
3- Compiler lensemble des informations pour tablir les listes finales despces.
Ces listes devraient comprendre dautres informations intressantes, notamment :
- Lorigine de la (des) citation(s) (bibliographiques/taxonomiques) en vue de vrifier la source
originale.
- La zone gographique.
- Labondance (notamment trs abondant, abondant, commun, rare, accidentel).
- La fidlit aux affleurements corallignes (e.g. caractristique exclusive, caractristique lective,
caractristique prfrentielle, indiffrente, accidentelle ; se rfrer Prs & Picard, 1964; Cormaci
et al., 2004).
Le recueil de nouvelles donnes constitue galement une autre question intressante. Plusieurs
mthodes ont t utilises pour lchantillonnage des systmes benthiques rocheux et des bancs
de marl (notamment par Bianchi et al., 2004) et toutes prsentent des avantages et des
inconvnients. Toutefois, la pertinence de chaque mthode dchantillonnage est fonction de
lobjectif de ltude et du groupe taxonomique pris en compte. Etant donn quaucune mthode
dchantillonnage ne peut tre universellement utilise, il est recommand lors de la ralisation de
nouveaux inventaires de :
35
- Raliser des mesures quantitatives ou semi-quantitatives plutt que des mesures qualitatives,
chaque fois que cela est possible.
- Indiquer clairement la mthode dchantillonnage et de quantification utilise, en prcisant la
priode de lanne de manire ce que les mesures puissent tre rptes dans le futur par des
quipes indpendantes pour une plus large comparaison des donnes.
- Positionner gographiquement les sites dchantillonnages avec prcision.
- Lchantillonnage doit tre reprsentatif. Par consquent, les zones dchantillonnage doivent tre
plus grandes que les aires dchantillonnage minimales. Il convient de noter que les diffrents
groupes taxonomiques doivent tre chantillonns dans des aires reprsentatives dont la taille
diffre compltement.
CAR/ASP
Le coralligne et le marl tant des communauts deaux profondes, il est impossible davoir une
couverture approprie de lensemble des sites. Par consquent, il est recommand de raliser les
inventaires et le suivi dans des sites dintrt particulier. Ces sites doivent tre slectionns en
fonction dinformations pralables relatives ltendue et la qualit cologique des communauts
corallignes et du marl.
Pour cette slection de sites, il est recommand dutiliser les critres suivants :
- Existence dinformations pralables sur les peuplements corallignes ou les bancs de marl du site
ou, sil nexiste aucune information, prsence de caractres gomorphologiques du fond
appropris au dveloppement de structures corallignes et/ou de rhodolithes.
- Reprsentativit des peuplements corallignes/marl sur une vaste zone gographique, chaque
fois que cela est possible, en fonction des connaissances actuelles.
36
- Existence de mesures de contrle et/ou de gestion des activits anthropiques sur le site. Dans ce
sens, les aires marines protges sont des sites appropris slectionner.
- Les communauts de corallignes et de marl particulirement saines mritent dtre
slectionnes en tant que points de rfrence.
- Les communauts de corallignes et les bancs de marl sous linfluence directe ou indirecte de
perturbations anthropogniques, clairement reconnaissables, mritent dtre slectionns en vue
dvaluer limpact de ces perturbations.
vaste zone dchantillonnage pour tre reprsentative (Ballesteros, 2006). De mme, lhtrognit
leve, moyenne et grande chelles, rend la comparaison entre sites difficile. Toutefois, la faible
dynamique des peuplements corallignes (Garrabou et al., 2002) permet une faible priodicit de
lchantillonnage lors des tudes sur le long terme.
A des fins pratiques, et lors de la description des peuplements, les valuation semi-quantitatives
constituent la mthode la plus rapide, offrant gnralement suffisamment dinformations pour une
caractrisation grossire des peuplements. Il est possible de facilement estimer la couverture ou
labondance par des indices sur une chelle de valeurs de 3 6. Il est recommand dutiliser les
indices phyto-sociologiques (Braun Blanquet, 1979; Cormaci et al., 2004) qui peuvent tre
transforms de faon adquate et utiliss pour dautres analyses dordination statistiques.
A. Bouajina
A. Ramos
avec des objectifs focale variable et une mise au point automatique, il est possible de changer
facilement la surface de la zone couverte, mme en milieu sous-marin. Lutilisation de
stroboscopes augmente grandement la qualit de limage. Les photographies permettent
destimer la densit des espces et leur abondance (recouvrement) qui peuvent tre galement
utilises en vue dobtenir des donnes sur la structure de la communaut. Les photographies
rptes des intervalles de temps rguliers, dans des sites, fixes permettent le recueil
dinformations sur la dynamique des populations et la dmographie de la faune et de la flore
(Garrabou, 1998, 1999; Garrabou & Ballesteros, 2000; Garrabou & Zabala, 2001). La photographie
permet galement le recueil dun grand nombre dchantillons (photographies) en un laps de temps
rduit, optimisant le rapport entre informations obtenues et temps de plonge. La baisse des
performances du plongeur, en raison de la narcose lazote, et labsence de mesures exactes, qui en
rsulte, sont ainsi vites. Toutefois, la photographie prsente un important inconvnient car bien
quelle permette de trs bons rsultats en termes dorganismes et de structures en 2D, son
application sur les organismes en 3D (notamment les gorgonaires, certains bryozoaires et ponges)
est bien plus complexe et manque souvent de prcision suffisante.
Les quadrats, situs le long dun transect ou placs au hasard, sont grandement utiliss dans les
tudes sur le benthos, tant dans les tudes de suivis que de surveillances. Pour les peuplements
corallignes, ils ont t largement utiliss pour estimer les paramtres dmographiques et tudier
les changements court et long termes dans les populations de gorgonaires (notamment Harmelin
& Marinopoulos, 1994; Coma et al., 2004; Linares et al., 2005; Linares et al., sous-presse). Les quadrats
peuvent tre transportables ou permanents et fixs sur le fond en lignes, suivant un transect. La
taille du quadrat change en fonction des objectifs de surveillance. Des cadres de 0,5 1 m2 sont
recommands pour la surveillance de labondance des organismes de grande taille qui se
dveloppent dans les peuplements corallignes. Les quadrats permanents sont trs utiles pour
39
C. Pergent Martini
- Nmertiens
- Ostracodes
- Phyllocarids
- Polychtes
- Pycnogonides
- Tanaidacs
Des recherches supplmentaires sur dautres groupes sont galement ncessaires car elles offriront
certainement de nouvelles signalisations despces pour les affleurements corallignes et les bancs
de marl.
41
CAR/ASP
Les processus qui se produisent dans les communauts corallignes sont gnralement trs lents
(Garrabou et al., 2002). Le fonctionnement des espces cls et remarquables montre galement des
taux de croissance lents et une dynamique de population lente (voir la revue de Ballesteros, 2006).
Par consquent, mme si certains modles et processus qui ont t dcrits jusqu prsent
surviennent sur de courtes priodes de temps (e.g. phnomnes de mortalit ; Cerrano et al., 2000;
Garrabou et al., 2001), on ne peut comprendre lvolution du coralligne que dans une perspective
long terme. Les bancs de marl sont encore moins connus dans la mesure o il ny a pas eu de
rvisions compltes ce sujet concernant les rhodolithes mditerranens.
Il est recommand de visiter les sites surveills une fois par an. Mme si laspect saisonnier nest pas
aussi important pour les communauts corallignes/marl quil ne lest pour les environnements
superficiels (Ballesteros, 2006), il est recommand deffectuer la surveillance la mme priode de
lanne, afin de faciliter les comparaisons entre annes et sites. Lt et le dbut de lautomne (juilletoctobre) sont les meilleures priodes pour effectuer ces tudes car la plonge en eaux profondes
y est plus sre.
Les sites devraient tre choisis en fonction de : (1) leur reprsentativit sur une vaste chelle
gographique, (2) leur accessibilit et (3) les installations logistiques qui peuvent contribuer garantir la
surveillance. La slection de sites de rfrence est cruciale pour la surveillance, tout particulirement en
vue de dterminer la raction des peuplements des perturbations particulires.
La surveillance devrait tre conue aussi simplement que possible.Aucune mthode standard nest
propose et aucun indice de qualit environnemental ou cologique na t tabli. Latelier relatif
aux activits de surveillance pourrait suggrer une mthodologie spcifique pour des tudes long
terme consacres lexamen de lvolution des communauts corallignes/marl.
42
IV.3. Le fonctionnement
Une attention particulire doit tre porte ltude du fonctionnement dassociations et despces
particulires. En particulier, les espces de la flore et de la faune dure de vie longue, qui
constituent gnralement les espces structurantes du coralligne ou les algues calcaires les plus
abondantes dans les bancs de marl, requirent une connaissance dtaille de leur croissance, de
leurs modles dmographiques, de leur vulnrabilit aux perturbations et de leurs capacits de
rcupration. Le CAR/ASP devrait encourager ce type dtudes. Les tudes qui mritent une
attention particulire sont les suivantes :
- Les facteurs environnementaux et les processus biologiques qui dterminent la composition et la
structure spcifique des communauts corallignes/marl.
- La dtermination de lge et de lhistorique de la croissance des concrtions corallignes et des
rhodolithes du marl.
- Les demandes en taux de production de carbonates pour la croissance, les taux drosion, les
tudes sur la connaissance des corallines et de Peyssonnelia rosa-marina. Les effets des eaux uses
et de lenvasement sur ces processus.
- Limportance des ponges perforantes, des mollusques bivalves et des annlides dans la biorosion du
coralligne et des rhodolithes de marl. Les diffrences entre les affleurements corallignes en cours
de croissance et subfossiles. Les effets des eaux uses et de lenvasement sur le taux de biorosion.
- Les effets des espces dalgues envahissantes sur les affleurements corallignes et les bancs de
marl : changements de la biodiversit, de la structure fonctionnelle et de la dynamique long
terme des populations et des communauts.
- Les taux de croissance, les caractristiques cophysiologiques des algues molles importantes
structurellement : Peyssonnelia spp., Flabellia petiolata, Halimeda tuna, Phyllariopsis brevipes, Laminaria
rodriguezii, Osmundaria volubilis, Phyllophora crispa.
- La contribution des bryozoaires aux affleurements corallignes. Les taux de croissance et la
production de carbonate.
- La dynamique des populations de gorgonaires et dalcyonaires (Paramuricea clavata, Corallium rubrum,
Eunicella cavolinii, Alcyonium acaule et autres) les facteurs dclencheurs des phnomnes de mortalit.
Les ractions spcifiques des espces et les adaptations au stress et aux perturbations.
- La dynamique de croissance et de population des ponges massives particulirement importantes
(notamment Axinella polypoides, Axinella verrucosa, Spongia agaricina, Spongia officinalis). Les facteurs
dclencheurs des phnomnes de mortalit.
- La dynamique de croissance et de population des ascidies massives particulirement importante
(notamment Halocynthia papillosa, Pseudodistoma cyrnusense, Phallusia fumigata, Microcosmus spp.,
Aplidium spp.). Les facteurs dclencheurs des phnomnes de mortalit.
- La dispersion des espces/des populations et les flux gntiques entre populations lchelle du
bassin mditerranen.
- Llaboration de marqueurs physiologiques qui fournissent des informations sur la sant de la
population en raction aux diffrents types de perturbation.
43
P. Sanchez
G. Pergent
P. Sanchez
Pour revenir aux pays europens, un rglement du Conseil (CE) N 1967/2006 a t rcemment
publi (21 dcembre 2006) concernant les mesures de gestion pour lexploitation durable des
ressources halieutiques en mer Mditerrane, modifiant le Rglement (CEE) N 2847/93 et
abrogeant le Rglement (CE) N 1626/94. Ce nouveau rglement stipule que au-dessus des
habitats corallignes et des bancs de marl, il est interdit de pcher en utilisant des
chaluts, dragues, sennes de plage ou filets similaires (Article 4.2) et que cette interdiction
sapplique [] tous les sites Natura 2000, toutes les aires spcialement protges
et toutes les aires spcialement protges dimportance mditerranenne (ASPIM)
dsigns des fins de conservation de ces habitats conformment la Directive
92/43/CEE ou la Dcision 1999/800/CEE (Article 4.4).
47
48
G. Pergent
Les montagnes sous-marines, loignes du rivage, mritent une attention particulire en raison de
leur position gographique isole et, de faon gnrale, du manque de connaissance leur gard.A
cet effet, les aires suivantes prsentent un intrt rgional (mditerranen) :
49
J.G. Harmelin
Les AMP mditerranennes qui abritent des peuplements corallignes/marl et pour lesquelles des
plans de gestion et de suivi nont pas encore t labors et mis en uvre, doivent tre dotes de
ces plans ds que possible.
50
L.Vanrell
Les AMP inscrites comme ASPIM et qui abritent des peuplements corallignes/marl, dans le
primtre protg, devraient dvelopper des plans de gestion et de protection, afin dassurer leur
conservation.
51
VII. Calendrier
A la lumire de toutes les observations mentionnes ci-dessus, les actions suivantes peuvent tre envisages :
Action
Dfinition des peuplements qui doivent tre inclus dans le Plan daction :
Structures corallignes ou communauts des fonds rocheux du circalittoral ?
Etablir une liste de rfrence de lensemble des espces en mesure de vivre
dans les communauts corallignes, sur la base des publications, de la
littrature grise (rapports) et de dire dexperts. Les noms des espces
(avec les autorits), les citations, les localisations go-rfrences,
labondance et les caractristiques de lhabitat doivent tre inclus.
Cette liste de rfrence doit tre conue comme une base de donnes
avec un SIG incorpor.
Crer un site web en tant que partie du Centre dchange de donnes sur
la biodiversit marine et ctire de Mditerrane, en vue daider
lidentification taxonomique des principales espces qui se
dveloppent au niveau des peuplements corallignes/marl, incluant.
Une base de donnes bibliographique sappuyant sur toutes les
informations relatives aux peuplements corallignes/marl avec une
indication des thmes quelles couvrent (notamment la biodiversit et la
taxonomie, lcologie descriptive, lcologie fonctionnelle, la composition,
les facteurs environnementaux, la cartographie, la conservation,
les perturbations).
Une base de donnes sur les peuplements corralignes/marl
Un rpertoire :
Des experts taxonomistes, mme dapporter des informations
sur les espces des peuplements corallignes/marl
Des scientifiques, travaillant sur lenvironnement coralligne/marl.
Des institutions de recherche
Proposer des mthodes standardises pour linventaire et le suivi des
communauts corallignes/marl et de leurs principales espces.
Appuyer et/ou encourager les missions sur le terrain visant amliorer
les connaissances relatives la distribution, la cartographie et la
biodiversit des peuplements corallignes/marl. Il convient de mettre
laccent tout particulirement sur la Mditerrane orientale et lAfrique du Nord.
Etablir une liste go-rfrence de tous les sites connus pour abriter des
communauts corallignes/marl, avec une indication des tranches
bathymtriques et (le cas chant) des facis corallignes/marl ou des
espces les plus remarquables
Proposer la cration dAMP dans les zones qui abritent des affleurements
corallignes ou des bancs de marl bien dvelopps.
Organiser rgulirement un atelier consacr aux concrtions corallignes
et aux bancs de marl (appuy au symposium sur la vgtation marine)
Organiser des ateliers de formation en vue dacqurir de bonnes
comptences en taxonomie et de mthodes de surveillance
Appuyer et/ou encourager le travail sur la taxonomie de certains groupes
particulirement peu connus.
52
Dlai
Qui
Ds que
possible et
de manire
continue
CAR/ASP
2 ans aprs
adoption
En continu
CAR/ASP &
partenaires
CAR/ASP &
Parties
contractantes
2 ans aprs
adoption
CAR/ASP
3 ans aprs
adoption
Tous les 3 ans
Parties
Contractantes
CAR/ASP
CAR/ASP &
Parties
contractantes
CAR/ASP
Parties
contractantes
Parties
contractantes
CAR/ASP &
partenaires
53
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human disturbance in shallow subtidal hard substrate assemblages: a regional approach. Mar. Ecol.
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Garca-Carrascosa,A.M. 1987. El bentos de los alrededores de las Islas Columbretes. Elementos para
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Garrabou, J. 1998. Applying a Geographical Information System (GIS) to the study of growth of
benthic clonal organisms. Mar. Ecol. Progr. Ser. 173: 227-235.
Garrabou, J. 1999. Life history traits of Alcyonium acaule and Parazoanthus axinellae (Cnidaria,
Anthozoa), with emphasis on growth. Mar. Ecol. Progr. Ser. 178: 193-204.
Garrabou, J., Ballesteros, E. 2000. Growth of Mesophyllum alternans and Lithophyllum frondosum
(Corallinaceae, Rhodophyta) in the Northwestern Mediterranean. Eur. J. Phycol. 35: 1-10.
Garrabou, J., Ballesteros, E., Zabala, M. 2002. Structure and dynamics of north-western
Mediterranean rocky benthic communities along a depth gradient. Est. Coast. Shelf Sci. 55: 493-508.
Garrabou, J., Perez,T., Sartoretto, S., Harmelin, J.G. 2001. Mass mortality event in red coral (Corallium
rubrum, Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Octocorallia) population in the Provence region (France, NW
Mediterranean). Mar. Ecol. Progr. Ser. 217: 263-272.
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a case study of a bryozoan population. Conserv. Biol. 12: 302-312.
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Germonpre, P. 2006.The medical risks of underwater diving and their control. Int. Sport. J. 7: 1-15.
Gili, J.M., Ros, J. 1987. Study and cartography of the benthic communities of Medes Islands (NE
Spain). P.S.Z.N.I. Mar. Ecol. 6: 219-238.
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de pollution en Mditerrane nord-occidentale (Golfe de Fos). Thse de Doctorat. Universit d'AixMarseille II.
Hong, J.S. 1982. Contribution l'tude des peuplements d'un fond coralligne dans la rgion
marseillaise en Mditerrane Nord-Occidentale. Bulletin of Korea Ocean Research and Development
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Linares, C., Coma, R., Diaz, D., Zabala, M., Hereu, B., Dantart, L. 2005. Immediate and delayed effects
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