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Assessing fish assemblages and providing reliable fish inventories are tasks of particular relevance for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). In this study we demonstrated the usefulness of underwater photo contests as complementary tools to accomplish this goal. We examined a total of 3513 underwater pictures taken by both free-diving and SCUBA during two Italian photo contests organized by the Italian Federation of Sport Fishing and Underwater Activities (FIPSAS). The competitions, held during the years 2017-2018, took place in the MPAs of Punta Campanella (Tyrrhenian Sea) and Capo Rizzuto (Ionian Sea). Overall, we identified 97 fish species: 89 at Punta Campanella and 75 at Capo Rizzuto MPA, occurring in a depth range of 0-19 m across different coastal habitats. This number resulted to be considerably higher than that reported with other census techniques and close to the maximum number of species, as evidenced by accumulation curves. Significant differences in species richness were highlighted at the level of both location and habitat type. Reasons of these differences are discussed, along with the advantages and limitations of the underwater photo contest as a participatory tool for gaining regular updates on coastal fish inventories in Marine Protected Areas and beyond.

The Posidonia oceanica is the endemic seagrass of Mediterranean Sea, subjected to a diffuse regression in last 50 years. Sedimentary flux is one of the ecological factors of the seagrass ecosystems and makes an important theme for the conservation of coastal natural resources. The present work investigates the vertical sedimentation flux on P. oceanica meadow and the linkage between the sedimentary dynamic and benthic community structure. The experimental investigations about sedimentation of organic and inorganic matter were monthly conducted on a meadow placed at 7 m depth in Civitavecchia (Italy), throughout the year 2015-2016, by the use of sediment traps. Hydrodynamic experiments were integrated to sediment dynamic observations. Fauna assemblage were analysed seasonally. The experimental investigations conducted on P. oceanica meadow have demonstrated the role of seagrass on particles sedimentary process and how this interaction has a direct implication on the structure of fauna assemblage. The vagile fauna is strongly dependent to the growth of leaves, while the population of rhizomes is more susceptible to sedimentary dynamic regime of particles, that causes a shift of trophic categories. The capacity of a P. oceanica meadow in particles retention, especially during the maximum growth of leaves, favours the accumulation of organic matter and sediment that contribute to ‘matte’ accretion and provide habitat and feed for benthic species that live in the rhizome-matte stratum. La Posidonia oceanica è la fanerogama marina endemica del Mar Mediterraneo, soggetta, negli ultimi 50 anni, ad una diffusa regressione. Il flusso sedimentario è uno dei fattori ecologici degli ecosistemi costituiti da fanerogame marine ed è quindi un tema importante per la conservazione delle risorse naturali costiere. Il presente lavoro si focalizza sullo studio del flusso di sedimentazione verticale in una prateria di P. oceanica analizzando, inoltre, la relazione tra la dinamica sedimentaria e la struttura della comunità. Lo studio sperimentale relativo alla sedimentazione della frazione organica e inorganica è stato effettuato con una serie di campagne mensili condotte su una prateria a 7m di profondità a Civitavecchia (Italia) durante l’anno 2015-2016, attraverso l’uso di trappole di sedimento. Misure idrodinamiche sperimentali sono state integrate alle osservazioni della dinamica sedimentaria. L’assemblaggio faunistico è stato analizzato stagionalmente. I risultati hanno evidenziato il ruolo della fanerogama sui processi sedimentari e come questa interazione ha un diretto effetto sulla struttura della comunità. La fauna vagile è fortemente dipendente alla crescita fogliare mentre la popolazione dei rizomi è maggiormente suscettibile al regime dinamico che causa una variazione delle categorie trofiche. La capacità della prateria di P. oceanica nel trattenere le particelle, specialmente durante la fase di massimo accrescimento fogliare, favorisce l’accumulo di particelle organiche e sedimento che contribuiscono all’accrescimento della ‘matte’ e fornisce habitat e cibo per le specie bentoniche che vivono nello strato rizoma-matte. Dottorato di ricerca in Ecologia e gestione delle risorse biologiche

This is the accepted manuscript of the paper "Habitat preference of combtooth blennies (actinopterygii: perciformes: blennidae) in very shallow waters of the Ionian Sea , South-Eastern Sicily, Italy", published as final paper in "ACTA ICHTHYOLOGICA ET PISCATORIA (2016) 46 (2): 65–75;https://www.aiep.pl/volumes/2010/7_2/txt/txt_02.php" Tiralongo F, Tibullo D, Brundo M V, Paladini De Mendoza F, Melchiorri C., Marcelli M (2016). Habitat preference of combtooth blennies (actinopterygii: perciformes: blennidae) in very shallow waters of the Ionian Sea , South-Eastern Sicily, Italy ACTA ICHTHYOLOGICA ET PISCATORIA 46 (2): pp. 65–75 DOI: 10.3750/AIP2016.46.2.02 Background. In the Mediterranean Sea, habitat preferences of small benthic fi shes of shallow waters have been poorly investigated. Although combtooth blennies are not of interest for fi sheries, they are often the dominant fish community on rocky bottoms within the first meter of depth and in tidal pool environments, playing so an important role in the functioning of the coastal ecosystem. This study represents the fi rst detailed investigation concerning habitat preference and depth distribution of combtooth blennies in the Ionian Sea. Materials and methods. Occurrence and abundance of species were investigated by a non-destructive visual census method using snorkelling or SCUBA diving. We investigated 5 habitat types (bathymetric intervals between 0 and 3 m of depth) to fi nd difference in species richness and abundance in each one and between. Studies were conducted from June to October 2014 in the south-eastern coast of Sicily. Statistical method of the electivity index (EI) and principal component analysis (PCA) were utilized for the evaluation of the habitat preference of 11 species of combtooth blennies. Depth distribution for each species was box-plotted. For each habitat and depth, the Shannon–Wiener Index (H’) and the Simpson Index (D) were calculated. Diversity profi les were performed in order to give a better understanding of the correlation between diversity and both habitat types and depth. Results. During a total of 2485 observations of combtooth blennies a total of 11 species were recorded: Aidablennius sphynx (Valenciennes, 1836); Coryphoblennius galerita (Linnaeus, 1758); Lipophrys trigloides (Valenciennes, 1836); Microlipophrys canevae (Vinciguerra, 1880); Parablennius gattorugine (Linnaeus, 1758); Parablennius incognitus (Bath, 1968); Parablennius pilicornis (Cuvier, 1829); Parablennius sanguinolentus (Pallas, 1814); Parablennius zvonimiri (Kolombatović, 1892); Salaria pavo (Risso, 1810); Scartella cristata (Linnaeus, 1758). The maximum Shannon–Wiener Index (H’= 2.335) and Simpson Index (D = 0.898) values were recorded on “rocks with algal cover”; while, concerning the depth, the maximum values of both indices were recorded within the first meter. The diversity indices showed the highest values in the most heterogeneous habitat types. There was a negative correlation between depth and diversity indices. Results showed a clear habitat preference for the following species: A. sphynx, P. gattorugine, P. sanguinolentus, S. pavo and S. cristata. Conclusion. This study highlights the importance of depth and habitat heterogeneity in biological diversity, species richness and population abundances of combtooth blennies in the Mediterranean Sea. &nbsp

This is the accepted manuscript of the paper " Evaluation of wave power by integrating numerical models and measures at the Port of Civitavecchia", published as final paper in "Energia ambiente e Innovazione – ENEA DOI: 10.12910/EAI2015-040." https://www.enea.it/it/seguici/pubblicazioni/EAI/anno-2015/speciale-ocean-energy-ongoing-reseach-in-italy/evaluation-of-wave-power-by-integrating-numerical-models-and-measures-at-the-port-of-civitavecchia Paladini de Mendoza F, Bonamano S, Carli FM, Danelli A, Burgio C, Peviani MA, Marcelli M (2015). Evaluation of wave power by integrating numerical models and measures at the Port of Civitavecchia. Energia ambiente e Innovazione – ENEA DOI: 10.12910/EAI2015-040. An assessment of the available wave power at regional and local scale was carried out. Two hot spots of higher wave power level were identified and characterized along the coastline of northern Latium Region, near the Torre Valdaliga power plant and in proximity of Civitavecchia’s breakwater, where the presence of a harbour and an electric power plant allows wave energy exploitation. The evaluation process was implemented through measurements, and numerical model assessment and validation. The integration of wave gauges measurements with numerical simulations made it possible to estimate the wave power on the extended area nearshore. A downscaling process allowed to proceed from regional to local scale providing increased resolution thanks to highly detailed bathymetry.

This is the accepted manuscript of the paper " Environmental monitoring techniques and equipment related to the installation and operation of Marine Energy Conversion Systems", published as final paper in "Energia ambiente e Innovazione – ENEA DOI: 10.12910/EAI2015-041" https://www.enea.it/it/seguici/pubblicazioni/EAI/anno-2015/speciale-ocean-energy-ongoing-reseach-in-italy/environmental-monitoring-techniques-and-equipment-related-to-the-installation-and-operation-of-marine-energy-conversion-systems Results of activities under project Marine Renewables Infrastructure Network for Emerging Energy Technologies (MaRINET) are reported, which led to DEMTE, a database, created on the basis of standardized monitoring of the marine environment during installation, operation and decommissioning of Marine Energy Conversion Systems. Obtained with the consortium partners’ available techniques and equipment, the database shows that such instruments cover all identified marine environmental compartments, despite the lack of underwater vehicles and the reduced skills in using satellite technologies. These weaknesses could be overcome by an accurate planning of equipment, techniques and knowledge sharing. The approach here presented also leads to an effective analysis even in non-marine contexts.