Coralligenous and maërl habitats: predictive modelling to identify their spatial distributions across the Mediterranean Sea
Martin, C.S.; Giannoulaki, M.; De Leo, F.; Scardi, M.; Salomidi, M.; Knittweis, L.; Pace, M.L.; Garofalo, G.; Gristina, M.; Ballesteros, E.; Bavestrello, G.; Belluscio, A.; Cebrian, E.; Gerakaris, V.; Pergent, G.; Pergent-Martini, C.; Schembri, P.J.; Terribile, K.; Rizzo, L.; Ben Souissi, J.; Bonacorsi, M.; Guarnieri, G.; Krzelj, M.; Macic, V.; Punzo, E.; Valavanis, V.; Fraschetti, S. (2014). Coralligenous and maërl habitats: predictive modelling to identify their spatial distributions across the Mediterranean Sea. NPG Scientific Reports 4(5073): 8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep05073 In: Scientific Reports (Nature Publishing Group). Nature Publishing Group: London. ISSN 2045-2322; e-ISSN 2045-2322, more |   |
| Authors | | Top | Dataset | - Martin, C.S.
- Giannoulaki, M.
- De Leo, F.
- Scardi, M.
- Salomidi, M.
- Knittweis, L.
- Pace, M.L.
- Garofalo, G.
- Gristina, M.
| - Ballesteros, E.
- Bavestrello, G.
- Belluscio, A.
- Cebrian, E.
- Gerakaris, V.
- Pergent, G.
- Pergent-Martini, C.
- Schembri, P.J.
- Terribile, K.
| - Rizzo, L.
- Ben Souissi, J.
- Bonacorsi, M.
- Guarnieri, G.
- Krzelj, M.
- Macic, V.
- Punzo, E.
- Valavanis, V.
- Fraschetti, S., more
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| Abstract | Bioconstructions such as coralligenous outcrops and maërl beds are typical Mediterranean underwater seascapes. Fine-scale knowledge on the distribution of these sensitive habitats is crucial for their effective management and conservation. In the present study, a thorough review of existing spatial datasets showing the distribution of coralligenous and maërl habitats across the Mediterranean Sea was undertaken, highlighting current gaps in knowledge. Predictive modelling was then carried out, based on environmental predictors, to produce the first continuous maps of these two habitats across the entire basin. These predicted occurrence maps for coralligenous outcrops and maërl beds provide critical information about where the two habitats are most likely to occur. The collated occurrence data and derived distribution model outputs can help addressing the challenge of developing basin-wide spatial plans and to guide cost-effective future surveys and monitoring efforts towards areas that are presently poorly-sampled. |
| Dataset | - M. Scardi, C.S. Martin, V. Valavanis, S. Fraschetti, A. Belluscio, M. Gristina, M. Salomidi, E. Punzo, P. Panayotidis, M. Giannoulaki 2013. Modeling of protected habitats using predictor variables, Mediterranean Sensitive Habitats (MEDISEH) Final Report, DG MARE Specific Contract SI2.600741, more
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