In this paper we present the seabed maps of the shallow-water areas of Lampedusa and Linosa, belonging to the Pelagie Islands Marine Protected Area. Two surveys were carried out ("Lampedusa2015" and "Linosa2016") to collect bathymetric and acoustic backscatter data through the use of a Reson SeaBat 7125 high-resolution multibeam system. Ground-truth data, in the form of grab samples and diver video-observations, were also collected during both surveys. Sediment samples were analyzed for grain size, while video images were analyzed and described revealing the acoustic seabed and other bio-physical characteristics. A map of seabed classification, including sediment types and seagrass distribution, was produced using the tool Remote Sensing Object Based Image Analysis (RSOBIA) by integrating information derived from backscatter data and bathy-morphological features, validated by ground-truth data. This allows to create a first seabed maps (i.e. benthoscape classification), of Lampedusa and Linosa, at scale 1:20 000 and 1: 32 000, respectively, that will be checked and implemented through further surveys. The results point out a very rich and largely variable marine ecosystem on the seabed surrounding the two islands, with

This study focuses on two Mediterranean beech forests located in northern and southern Italy and therefore subjected to different environmental conditions. The research goal was to understand C storage in the forest floor and mineral soil and the major determinants. Relative to the northern forest (NF), the southern forest (SF) was found to produce higher amounts of litterfall (4.3 vs. 2.5 Mg·ha −1 ) and to store less C in the forest floor (~8 vs.~12 Mg·ha −1 ) but more C in the mineral soil (~148 vs.~72 Mg·ha −1 ). Newly-shed litter of NF had lower P (0.4 vs. 0.6 mg·g −1 ) but higher N concentration (13 vs. 10 mg·g −1 ) than SF. Despite its lower Mn concentration (0.06 vs. 0.18 mg·g −1 ), SF litter produces a Mn-richer humus (0.32 vs. 0.16 mg·g −1 ) that is less stable. The data suggest that decomposition in the NF forest floor is limited by the shorter growing season (178 days vs. 238 days) and the higher N concentrations in newly shed litter and forest floor. Differences in C stock in the mineral soil reflect differences in ecosystem productivity and long-term organic-matter accumulation. The vertical gradient of soluble and microbial fractions in the soil profile of SF was consistent with a faster turnover of organic matter in the forest floor and greater C accumulation in mineral soil relative to NF. With reference to regional-scale estimates from Italian National Forest Inventory data, the C stock in the mineral soil and the basal area of Italian beech forests were found to be significantly related, whereas C stock in the forest floor and C stock in the mineral soil were not.

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We present a seabed map around Lampedusa, the largest island of the Pelagie Islands Marine Protected Area (Italy, western Mediterranean). The seafloor was mapped using bathymetry and backscatter multibeam systems along with an underwater camera for direct observations and ground truthing, from the coastal area to about 50 m depth. The map was produced to monitor the present-day distribution of the Posidonia oceanica meadows around the Island. P. oceanica is the most important endemic seagrass species of the Mediterranean Sea and it can form meadows or beds extending from the surface to 40-45 m depth. These meadows provide habitat for a large marine community, thus increasing biodiversity of the coastal zone, stabilizing sediments and reducing coastline erosion. The seagrass meadows are susceptible to regression in response to specific impacts, thus their presence and abundance is an indicator of the overall environmental quality of the coastal zone. Recently, within the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC), P. oceanica has been selected as an indicator of the Good Environmental Status for marine areas. Consequently, the Pelagie Islands Marine Protected Area launched a project to assess the conservation status and map the distribution of P. oceanica meadows. The resulting 1:15,000 scale map includes information about the Mediterranean seagrass and the distribution of five acoustic facies reflecting hard lithologies and soft substrates. The Lampedusa seabed map provides new information, which contributes to the development of a detailed benthic habitat map and a more comprehensive maritime spatial planning of this Marine Protected Area. ARTICLE HISTORY

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