Ecological Notes on Macrozoobenthic Amphipoda Populations, Recruited on Artificial Anti-Trawiling Barriers, In the North-West Sardinia (Italy), by the Means Of Scuba Diving
De Simone M, Nonnis O, Tomassetti P, Di Cosmo A and Trabucco B*
ABSTRACT
This work is a part of a broader environmental monitoring project conducted by the Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA) within the laying of submarine cables between the Lazio and Sardinia (Italy). Due to anthropogenic damage observed along these cables artificial anti-trawling barriers (tripods) were located on the seafloor in order to safeguard the electrical connection from potential illicit activities while simultaneously promoting the protection of existing ecosystems. Over the years, anti-trawling tripods have proven effective in reducing the impact of bottom trawling and promoting marine biodiversity. However, their success largely depends on their ability to attract and support colonization by marine species (process known as recruitmen). Our work then focuses on observing recruitment on anti-trawling barriers to evaluate the colonization of artificial substrates introduced into the marine environment. In particular, the research involved the identification of amphipod species one of the most diversified and fascinating groups of crustaceans inhabiting marine waters and can serve as a partial descriptor of the community, providing a tool to assess the current state of the ecosystem.
