Proposal 10: AlCor
Assessment and characterization of coralligenous assemblages and benthic litter at the National Marine Park of Alonnisos Northern Sporades
When: July 2022
Where: National Marine Park of Alonnisos Northern Sporades
What: Investigation of natural rocky reefs at depths >40 meters via technological means
Who: Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management Lab, Department of Marine Sciences, University of the Aegean
Coralligenous formations (Hapitat type “Reefs 1170”) are characterised by high productivity, rich biodiversity, and provide important fisheries grounds. However, they remain one of the least studied marine ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea, mainly due to the difficulties associated with underwater sampling over rocky reefs found at depths >30 meters. In the framework of AlCor, funded by RePhil, the R/V FILIA was used to for the investigation of natural rocky reefs found at depths >40 meters in the National Marine Park of Alonnisos Northern Sporades. The aim of the AlCor action was the characterization of natural reefs, focusing on coralligenous formations, with regards to their biotic structure, ecological status, and interaction with benthic litter.
The RePhil project through the AlCor action provided the opportunity to young researchers from the University of the Aegean to take part in field activities onboard the R/V FILIA, collaborate with scientific experts from H.C.M.R., and gain hand on experience with advanced technologies (ROV, multibeam echosounder, CTD). This way, they had a chance to view in real time, and record through visual technological means, life and imminent threats on natural rocky reefs found at depths beyond conventional scuba diving limits.
Visual records through ROV were further analyzed to assess biodiversity, relative abundance of selected benthic species, extend of necrosis of benthic species, the presence, type, relative abundance of benthic litter, as well the frequency of interaction of benthic species with benthic litter. Data obtained through the multibeam ecosounder were used for the mapping of selected areas, while the physico-chemical characteristics of the water column were assessed through respective water samples (Niskin bottles, CTD). Overall, the collected information will be used for the ecological assessment and promotion of coralligenous formations in the area, while quantitative data will be made available for their future monitoring and conservation management.
#rephilproject #hcmr #ntua #researchvessel #fisheriesvessel #researchexpedition #fisheriesresearch
Coralligenous formations (Hapitat type “Reefs 1170”) are characterised by high productivity, rich biodiversity, and provide important fisheries grounds. However, they remain one of the least studied marine ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea, mainly due to the difficulties associated with underwater sampling over rocky reefs found at depths >30 meters. In the framework of AlCor, funded by RePhil, the R/V FILIA was used to for the investigation of natural rocky reefs found at depths >40 meters in the National Marine Park of Alonnisos Northern Sporades. The aim of the AlCor action was the characterization of natural reefs, focusing on coralligenous formations, with regards to their biotic structure, ecological status, and interaction with benthic litter.
The RePhil project through the AlCor action provided the opportunity to young researchers from the University of the Aegean to take part in field activities onboard the R/V FILIA, collaborate with scientific experts from H.C.M.R., and gain hand on experience with advanced technologies (ROV, multibeam echosounder, CTD). This way, they had a chance to view in real time, and record through visual technological means, life and imminent threats on natural rocky reefs found at depths beyond conventional scuba diving limits.
Visual records through ROV were further analyzed to assess biodiversity, relative abundance of selected benthic species, extend of necrosis of benthic species, the presence, type, relative abundance of benthic litter, as well the frequency of interaction of benthic species with benthic litter. Data obtained through the multibeam ecosounder were used for the mapping of selected areas, while the physico-chemical characteristics of the water column were assessed through respective water samples (Niskin bottles, CTD). Overall, the collected information will be used for the ecological assessment and promotion of coralligenous formations in the area, while quantitative data will be made available for their future monitoring and conservation management.
#rephilproject #hcmr #ntua #researchvessel #fisheriesvessel #researchexpedition #fisheriesresearch
