MICARONI V.

Sponge grounds are complex three-dimensional benthic habitats dominated by sponges. These sponge-dominated assemblages have been reported worldwide, from the intertidal zone to the deep sea. In shallow euphotic waters, dense sponge aggregations have been mainly found in tropical areas, and their presence is in some cases related to...

Climate change and heavy anthropic pressures are giving rise to important modifications in the rocky benthic communities of the Mediterranean Sea. In particular, sponge assemblages have been deeply affected due to the susceptibility of some species to dramatic phenomena such as mass mortalities or widespread variations in the abundance of other...

During 2016, we carried out a taxonomic inventory of the coastal and marine fauna and flora of Tricase Porto. In total, we identified 481 marine species and 44 coastal plants. Furthermore, organisms' phenology was recorded. "Biodiversity MARE Tricase" programme promotes biodiversity knowledge and conservation in the Salento peninsula.

Biodiversity is a broad concept that encompasses the diversity of nature, from the genetic to the habitat scale, and ensures the proper functioning of ecosystems. The Mediterranean Sea, one of the world's most biodiverse marine basins, faces major threats, such as overexploitation of resources, pollution and climate change. Here we provide the...