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Identifier

000403555

Title

Οικολογικός χαρακτηρισμός και πρότυπα ποικιλότητας των υποθαλάσσιων σπηλαίων στην περιοχή της Ζακύνθου (κόλπος του Λαγανά)

Alternative Title

Ecological evaluation and diversity patterns of submarine caves in Zakynthos (Laganas bay)

Author

Μαντζανή, Ελευθερία-Νίκη Γ.

Thesis advisor

Καρακάσης, Ιωάννης

Reviewer

Κωτούλας, Γεώργιος
Αρβανιτίδης, Χρήστος

Abstract

In the Mediterranean Sea, several marine areas have been declared as protected areas (MPAs: Marine Protected Areas) in order for the encompassed habitats to be protected. The ecological status of this type of ecotope needs to be continuously monitored in order to find more effective ways for its sustainable management. Submerged and semi-submerged marine caves are included in several MPAs. These types of habitats are particularly abundant across the Mediterranean coasts. In this study two submerged and six semi-submerged marine caves of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos have been investigated. Non-destructive photographic sampling techniques (visual census) were used for their study. The photographic samples have been processed with specialized software in order to estimate the per cent coverage of benthic taxa. Considering the above data, the ecological status of the surveyed caves was estimated using a recent-introduced ecological index. Non-parametric statistical tests were used to determine the factors shaping the species distribution patterns of benthic communities. The results of this study revealed that the ecological condition of the surveyed caves is not adequately reflected with the selected ecological index used. It was also confirmed that each marine cave supports rich benthic biodiversity also maintaining idiosyncratic features.

Language

Greek

Subject

Ecological evaluation

Marine protected areas

Θαλάσσιες προστατευόμενες περιοχές

Οικολογική εκτίμηση

Υποθαλάσσια σπήλαια

Issue date

2016-11-18

Collection

School/Department--School of Sciences and Engineering--Department of Biology--Post-graduate theses