Patterns of colonization and succession of benthic assemblages in two artificial substrates

Ecological succession of benthic organisms on niche-type artificial reefs

“…The niche-type artificial reef (AATN) was seen to be functional in terms of acting as an alternative substrate for the settlement of benthic invertebrates; this can be seen in the fact that over the 22-month monitoring period, the presence of both sessile and motile communities was found on the structures. A similar performance has been seen with other cement structures installed on the sea floor (Spagnolo et al 2014, Andersson et al 2009. Regarding the level of ecological succession, the niche system had not reached full maturity after almost 100 weeks (22 months); however, thanks to the video recordings it was possible to identify the presence of some fishing resources.…”

“…Over time, these reefs have become more popular and their aims have subsequently broadened (Ponti et al, 2015, Fabi et al, 2011 to account for new needs, such as recreation, habitat restoration or growth, contribution of new knowledge on species behaviour in its natural habitat or beach protection and erosion control (Encarnação & Calado, 2018, González-Duarte et al 2018, Herbert et al 2017, Liu et al 2017, Navarro-Barranco et al 2015, Firth et al 2014, Pacheco et al 2011, Ponti et al 2015, Perkol-Finkel & Benayahu 2005. This has led to increased knowledge regarding the materials used to build such structures, ensuring they are not damaging to the environment (Herbert et al 2017, Liversage et al 2017, Spagnolo et al 2014, Ponti et al 2015, Fabi et al 2011, OSPAR Commission 2009, Perkol-Finkel & Benayahu 2005 and achieving more adequate designs and sizes in accordance with the purpose in question (Lavender et al 2017, Rosental Zalmon et al 2014, Perkol-Finkel & Benayahu 2005. Waste materials were generally used, such as tyres, wrecked ships, or the remains of machines, research platforms and pipes (Meyer et al 2017, Ponti et al 2015, Perkol-Finkel & Benayahu 2005.…”

Non-indigenous macrozoobenthic species on hard substrata of selected harbours in the Adriatic Sea

“…susceptibility to the establishment or proliferation of invaders. Auriemma, Rocco;Bacci, T.;Balković, Ivan;Bertasi, F.;Bolognini, Luca;Cabrini, Marina;Cilenti, L.;Cuicchi, C.;Cvitković, Ivan;Despalatović, Marija;Grati, Fabio;Grossi, L.;Jaklin, Andrej;Lipej, Lovrenc;Marković, O.;Mavrič, Borut;Mikac, Barbara;Nasi, F.;Nerlović, Vedrana;Pelosi, S.;Penna, M.;Petović, Slavica;Santucci, Angela;Scirocco, T.;Strafella, P.;Trabucco, Benedetta;Travizi, Ana;Žuljević, Ante (2017) Non-indigenous macrozoobenthic species on hard substrata of selected harbours in the Adriatic sea. Marine Pollution Bulletin,[147][148][149][150][151][152][153][154][155][156][157][158] According to the 'biodiversity increasing invasibility hypothesis', which is related to the 'invasional meltdown hypothesis' of Simberloff and Von Holle (1999), invasibility is higher in species-rich communities due to the facilitative effect of previously introduced species (Cohen and Carlton, 1998;Stohlgren et al, 2003) and to a more complete exploitation of resources.…”

Settlement preferences of leeches (Clitellata: Hirudinida) for different artificial substrates

“…Studies concerning the influence of physical parameters of the environment and types of substrates, including artificial ones, are quite common for macrozoobenthos (Bonzini et al, 2008;Jae-Hoon et al, 2013;Spagnolo et al, 2014). Much has been written about their use as a tool in the assessment of aquatic environment quality (De Pauw et al, 1994;Czerniawska-Kusza, 2004;MacDonald et al, 2012;Loke et al, 2014) or biomass production of phyto and zoobenthos (Moura et al, 2007;Plá & Alveal, 2012).…”

“…In relation to inland waters, research has mainly focused on their habitat-creation role and concerns entire groups of benthic fauna (De Pauw et al, 1986, De Pauw et al, 1994Czerniawska-Kusza, 2004;Poznańska et al, 2009;Czarnecka et al, 2009). Studies about the preferences of particular species are still rare and tend to focus on sessile organisms (Czarnołęski et al, 2004;Kobak, 2004;Kobak & Januszewska, 2006;Porter & Marsden, 2008;Richards & Beger, 2011;Braccia et al, 2014;Spagnolo et al, 2014). With regard to free-living taxa, most studies have focused on representatives of Gammaridae, especially non-native species in European waters (Devin et al, 2004;Czarnecka et al, 2010;Kobak et al, 2013), but there is still little information about leech settlement on human-made substrates.…”