Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Variability at different spatial scales of a coralligenous assemblage at Giannutri Island (Tuscan Archipelago, northwest Mediterranean)

  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study was carried out on the rocky cliffs of Giannutri Island (Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy) to test the hypothesis that coralligenous assemblages are consistent within the bathymetric range considered (25–35 m depth) over three different spatial scales (1000 m, 100 m and 10 m). A multi-factorial sampling design was used to assess patterns of vertical distribution in the studied area. Data on the percent cover of algae and invertebrates were collected at three depths (25, 30 and 35 m) using a photographic method, and percentage cover was obtained using a visual method. Analysis of the results using ANOVA indicated that the distribution and abundance of algae and some invertebrates of the sublittoral assemblages are clearly heterogeneous. Algae, sponges and bryozoans showed significant variability in distribution and abundance at different depths, but this variability was not consistent amongst transects. Ascidians did not show any variability, while the abundance of anthozoans differed significantly amongst transects. We concluded that heterogeneity in the distribution and abundance of the taxa analysed is related to the smallest spatial scale investigated (10's of m). Some of the possible causes of the observed variability are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abbiati, M., M. Virgilio & J. Querci, 1996. Spatial and temporal variability of species distribution on a sublittoral rocky cliff in the Ligurian Sea. S. It. E. Proceedings 17: 337–340.

    Google Scholar 

  • Airoldi, L., 1998. Roles of disturbance, sediment stress, and substratum retention on spatial dominance in algal turf. Ecology 79 (8): 2759–2770.

    Google Scholar 

  • Archambault, P. & E. Bourget, 1996. Scales of coastal heterogeneity and benthic intertidal species richness, diversity and abundance. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 136: 111–121.

    Google Scholar 

  • Augier, H., 1982. Inventaire et classification des biocenoses marines benthiques de la Mediterranée. Collection Sauvegarde de la Nature, Conseil de l'Europe, Strasbourg, 25: 1–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barry, J. P. & P. K. Dayton, 1991. Physical heterogeneity and the organization of marine communities. In Kolasa J. & S. T. A. Pickett (eds), Ecological Heterogeneity. Springer Verlag, Berlin: 269–320.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benedetti-Cecchi, L. & F. Cinelli, 1997. Spatial distribution of algae and invertebrates in the rocky intertidal zone in the Strait of Magellan: are patterns general? Polar Biology 18: 337–343.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benedetti-Cecchi, L., L. Airoldi, M. Abbiati & F. Cinelli, 1996. Estimating the abundance of benthic invertebrates: a comparison of procedures and variability between observers. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 138: 93–101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benedetti-Cecchi, L., L. Airoldi, M. Abbiati & F. Cinelli, 1998. Spatial variability in the distribution of sponges and cnidarians in a sublittoral marine cave with sulphur-water springs. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 78: 43–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blanchard, D. & E. Bourget, 1999. Scales of coastal heterogeneity: influence on intertidal community structure. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 179: 163–173.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bourget, E., J. DeGuise & G. Daigle, 1994. Scales of substratum heterogeneity, structural complexity, and the early establishment of a marine epibenthic community. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 181: 31–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dethier, M. N., E. S. Graham, S. Cohen & L. M. Tear, 1993. Visual versus random-point percent cover estimations: 'objective' is not always better. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 110: 9–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foster, M. S., 1990. Organisation of macroalgae assemblages in the Northwest Pacific: the assumption of homogeneity and the illusion of generality. Hydrobiologia 192: 21–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Garrabou, J., J. Riera & M Zabala, 1998. Landscape pattern indices applied to Mediterranean subtidal rocky benthic communities. Landsc. Ecol. 13 (4): 225–247

    Google Scholar 

  • Gili, J. M. & E. Ballesteros, 1991. Structure of cnidarian populations in Mediterranean sublittoral benthic communities as a result of adaptation to different environmental conditions. In Ros J. D. & N. Prat (eds), Homage to Ramòn Margalef or Why There is Such Pleasure in Study Nature. Oecol. Acquat. 10: 243–254.

  • Gili, J. M. & R. Coma, 1998. Benthic suspension feeders: their paramount role in littoral marine food webs. TREE 13: 316–321.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gili, J. M. & J. D. Ros, 1985 Estudio cuantitativo de tres poblaciones circalitorales de cnidarios bentónicos. Inv. Pesq. 49 (3): 323–352.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glasby, T. M., 1999. Effects of shading on subtidal epibiotic assemblages. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 234: 275–290.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guichard, F. & E. Bourget, 1998. Topographic heterogeneity, hydrodynamics and benthic community structure: a scale-dependent cascade. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 171: 59–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hewitt, J. E., S. F. Thrush, V. J. Cummings & S. J. Turner, 1998. The effect of changing sampling scales on our ability to detect effects of large-scale processes on communities J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 227(2): 251–264.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hong, J. S., 1982. Contribution à l'étude des peuplements d'un fond de concrétionnement coralligéne dans la région marseilleise en Méditerranée nord-occidentale. Reprinted Bull. KORDI 4 (1–2): 27–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kennelly, S. J. & A. J. Underwood, 1992. Fluctuations in the distributions and abundances of species in sublittoral kelp forests in New South Wales. Aust. J. Ecol. 17: 367–382.

    Google Scholar 

  • Laborel, J., 1961. Le concrétionnement algal 'coralligène' et son importance géomorphologique en Méditerranée. Rec. Trav. St. Mar. Endoume 23 (37): 37–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Laubier, L., 1966. Le Coralligène des Albères, monographie biocénotique. Ann. Institut océanogr., Paris 43 (2): 137–201.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawton, J. H. & C. G. Jones, 1995. Linking species and ecosystems: organisms as ecosystem engineers. In Jones, C. J. & J. H. Lawton (eds), Linking Species & Ecosystems. Chapman & Hall, New York: 141–150.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levin, S. A., 1992. The problem of pattern and scale in ecology. Ecology 73 (6): 1943–1967.

    Google Scholar 

  • Menconi, M., L. Benedetti-Cecchi & F. Cinelli, 1999. Spatial and temporal variability in the distribution of algae and invertebrates on rocky shores in the Northwest Mediterranean. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 233: 1–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pérès, J. M. & J. Picard, 1964. Nouveau manuel de bionomie bentique de la Mer Mediterranée. Rec. Trav. Stat.mar. Endoume 31 (=47): 123 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ros, J. D., J. Romero, E. Ballestreros & J. M. Gili, 1985. Diving in blue water. The benthos. In Margalef, R. (ed.), Western Mediterranean. Pergamon Press, Oxford: 233–295.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarà, M., 1969. Research on coralligenous formations: problems and perspectives. Reprinted from the Pubbl. Staz. Zool. Napoli 37 suppl.: 124–134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarà, M., 1999. The role of sponges in the biodiversity, structure and dynamics of the Mediterranean coralligenous formations. Biol. Mar. Medit. 6 (1): 144–150.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schoch, G. C. & M. N. Dethier, 1996. Scaling up: the statistical linkage between organismal abundance and geomorphology on rocky intertidal shorelines. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 201: 37–72.

    Google Scholar 

  • True, M. A., 1970. Étude quantitative de quatre peuplements sciaphiles sur substrat rocheaux dans la région marseilleise. Bull. Inst. Océanogr. Monaco 69: 48 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Underwood, A. J., 1991. The logic of ecological experiments: a case history from studies of the distribution of macro-algae on rocky intertidal shores. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 71: 841–866.

    Google Scholar 

  • Underwood, A. J., 1997. Experiments in ecology: their logical design and interpretation using analysis of variance. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge: 504 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Underwood, A. J. & M. G. Chapman, 1996. Spatial patterns of distribution of intertidal invertebrates. Oecologia 107: 212–224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Underwood, A. J. & P. S. Petraitis, 1993. Structure of intertidal assemblages in different locations: how can local processes be compared? In Rickleffs, R. E. & D. Schluter (eds), Species Diversity in Ecological Communities: Historical and Geographical Perspectives. University of Chicago Press, Chicago: 39–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whittaker, R. J., 1998. Island Biogeography. Oxford University Press, New York: 1–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winer, B. J., D. R. Brown & K. M. Michels, 1991. Statistical Principles in Experimental Design. 3rd edn. McGraw-Hill, New York: 1057 pp.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Francesca Ferdeghini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Stefano Acunto
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Silvia Cocito
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Francesco Cinelli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ferdeghini, F., Acunto, S., Cocito, S. et al. Variability at different spatial scales of a coralligenous assemblage at Giannutri Island (Tuscan Archipelago, northwest Mediterranean). Hydrobiologia 440, 27–36 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004124423718

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004124423718

Search

Navigation