High resolution video on cold-water corals and deep oysters in the Dohrn Canyon (Italy)

High resolution video on cold-water corals and deep oysters in the Dohrn Canyon (Italy)

Comparison of taxonomical and functional diversity within and outside P. clavata forests: the dataset consists of images taken with underwater camera from MPA Regno di Nettuno and MPA Punta Campanella, Faraglioni di Capri, Banco di Santa Croce

The REDRESS Geoportal has been implemented in the framework of the REDRESS Project - WP1 - Task 1. The geoportal is the key sharing point where partners and the public can visualize and access the collected spatial data during the project and a synthesis of the past and current knowledge on deep-sea habitats’ degradation.

The cruise aimed to map with the multibeam the Gulf of Naples testing the new instruments installed on board Gaia Blue and to produce a high resolution and updated morphobathymetric map of the area to be compared with the existing data.

High resolution video on deep oyster reefs offshore Monopoli (Apulia Region, Italy)

Spatial and vertical extension of the mesophotic zone in the Mediterranean Sea based upon light penetration

CORSUB project aims at the study of the inception and development of anomalous morphologies of unknown origin, found between 80 and 130 m of water depth offshore the Punta Licosa Promontory (Tyrrhenian Sea, Campania, Italy), in correspondence of deep submarine terraces ascribed to Late Upper Pleistocene. Here, groups of metrical sub-circular structures of unknown origin (and with no similar record in the literature) were identified during a survey in 2003 and never successively investigated. They are possibly related to the presence of bioconstructions, because grab samples contained living crustose coralline algae, even though they never clarified the occurrence of true biogenic framework, nor the reason for such unique shapes. These findings lead to the suspicion that deep bioconstruction, possibly coralligenous, occurs, designed by past Quaternary underwater topography of unknown origin. Mesophotic reefs of the Mediterranean Sea are few explored, especially in the deeper part of the circalittoral zone. Among them, coralligenous is the most important one, but still far from being deeply investigated. It represents an important element of the seascape, hosting a valuable biodiversity and representing a natural heritage of unknown worth. Coralligenous has been originally defined as a bioconstruction mostly made by crustose coralline algae, able to develop monumental build-ups during the geological time, not for nothing with an important fossil legacy. The geometry together with the nature of the substrate, and their possible combinations, are key factors in distinguishing different coralligenous, although the actual schemes possibly do not include all the heterogeneity of this kind of habitat, still poorly explored. Therefore, the study area represents a worthy opportunity where to explore the nature of a deep possibly coralligenous, integrating geophysical, stratigraphical, sedimentological and paleontological techniques to reconstruct the inception of this kind of framework and its development through time, under different possible phases of climate and environment during the Quaternary. CORSUB plan foresees field campaigns for the habitat mapping purpose, namely the collection of new remote (backscatter and stratigraphy) and direct (both hard substrate and mobile sediment) data. The results will be then framed in the Quaternary geological history of the area to reach the goal of this project. The occurrence of deep coralligenous is extremely important because it is considered a biodiversity hotspot, monitored and protected under several European directives. Moreover it represents a valuable natural heritage for the local stakeholders. At the same time, being the coralligenous an underexplored geological archive, the application of a multi-scale approach can contribute to the reconstruction of the dynamic of this type of biocostructions, improving the interpretation of the fossil record.

Geoportal implemented in the framework of the CORSUB Project to manage multidisciplinary spatial data at Project Area scale

List of Italian ports divided by typology: TOURIST PORT: entirely dedicated to pleasure craft with a concession, It does not host commercial traffic. PUBLIC PORT: recreational places with more than one concession. Tourist and commercial motor ships arrive. If it is located in the city center or if it is not fenced. PORTICLE: small port with limited access due to draft or size and few services. PIERS: generally for boats < 10 m, but also for larger sizes. Usually floating, often seasonal, they may have places for pleasure. Even along the coast or on the beaches, not necessarily within a port. FIELD BUOYS: for boats <10 m. BOOTS: for boats >10 m. COMMERCIAL PORT: it hosts commercial and recreational traffic. CIRCLES: for the exclusive use of members of sailing clubs or clubs. They could host the port. PORT CHANNEL: along rivers and canals, it may have places for pleasure. WORKSITE: area dedicated to shipbuilding, could have places for pleasure craft MERCHANT PORT: for exclusive use of merchant and commercial traffic. They have no places for pleasure. MILITARY PORT: military area with no access. They have no places for pleasure. FISHING PORT: for the exclusive use of the fishing unit. They have no places for pleasure. EXCLUSIVE PORT: for the exclusive use of tourist complexes, private individuals or particular entities. They have no places for pleasure. PASSENGER TERMINAL: for the exclusive use of ships carrying passenger traffic. They have no places for pleasure. DOCK: usually hosts vessels, a small port without docks or an area within a larger port.