Native and Non-Indigenous Biota Associated with the <i>Cymodocea nodosa</i> (Tracheophyta, Alismatales) Meadow in the Seas of Taranto (Southern Italy, Mediterranean Sea)

Abstract

The collection of photos during the systematic monitoring activities is useful to witness the ecological role of marine phanerogams as hosts for a rich variety of organisms in coastal and transitional waters. Cymodocea nodosa is present in the Taranto seas. In Mar Piccolo, it reached high coverage in a short amount of time, up to 100%, due to the improvement in environmental conditions. The most recent observations showed that it offers a welcoming habitat for several vertebrates and invertebrates, native and non-indigenous, as well as to micro- and macroalgae. The NPPR-funded activities will make these observations more robust and structural.

Keywords

• biodiversity
• ecosystem services
• ITINERIS
• LTER
• Mar Piccolo of Taranto
• non-indigenous species