Biodiversity is a portmanteau word to indicate the variety of life at all levels from genes to
ecosystems, but it is often simplistically equated to species richness; the word ecodiversity …

The Ligurian Sea (NW Mediterranean) has been a focal point for numerous interventions
aimed at restoring Posidonia oceanica meadows. The success of pioneer restoration actions …

Nearshore seagrass, kelp, and other macroalgae beds (submerged aquatic vegetation
[SAV]) are productive and important ecosystems. Mitigating anthropogenic impacts on these …

The coastal marine area hosts among the most productive ecosystems in the world, in terms
of biomass and species richness. These ecosystems' natural capital stocks provide essential …

The epiphytes of seagrass leaves constitute a peculiar community, comprised of a number of
species specialized for this living substrate. Several studies report on the response of …

Introduction Coastal detrital bottoms (CDB) are one of the most extensive habitats of the
continental shelf worldwide, in the upper levels of the circalittoral zone. Hosting a diverse …

This paper outlines the history of scientific research developed in the Portofino Promontory,
located in the centre of the Ligurian Sea. The chronicles span over two centuries, from the …

The skeleton of most Porifera species consists of siliceous spicules that, after the sponge
death, persist for a long time in the sediment. The reduced suspension occurring within the …

In the last decades, climate change and human pressures have increasingly and
dramatically impacted the ocean worldwide, calling for urgent actions to safeguard coastal …

Biotic indices are major tools recommended by European Directives for assessing the
ecological status of marine coastal ecosystems. Although they have a relatively recent …