“…Coralline algae are of particular ecological importance in shallow waters and the ecosystem services they provide, which include provision of nursery habitat for commercially important invertebrate species, have been recognized (Kamenos et al, 2004). They produce chemicals or harbour specific bacteria that promote larval settlement and recruitment of numerous invertebrates (Morse et al, 1980;Morse & Morse, 1984;Johnson et al, 1991) and their rigid structure provides microhabitats for a high diversity of associated organisms (Cabioch, 1969;Bosence, 1976Bosence, , 1979Foster, 2001). Coralline algae are also of significant importance in the carbon and carbonate cycles of shallow coastal ecosystems, being major contributors to CO 2 fluxes through high community photosynthesis (CO 2 sink) and respiration (CO 2 source) (Martin et al, 2005(Martin et al, , 2006(Martin et al, , 2007 and through high CaCO 3 production (CO 2 source) and dissolution (CO 2 sink) (Barrόn et al, 2006;Martin et al, 2006Martin et al, , 2007.…”