In this work, we sought to document how submarine mass-movements influence the submarine landscape and associated habitat distributions on the upper portion of the northern Ionian Margin (eastern Mediterranean Sea) between 200 m to greater than 1,000 m in water depth (w.d.). In this area, mass-wasting processes have created unique morphological forms that, in turn, have generated high diversity for edaphic and hydrogeologic conditions; and these areas are marked by the patchy occurrence of varying natural benthic habitats. Surficial or sub-surficial Mass-Transport Deposits (MTDs) were documented by seismic and high-resolution morpho-bathymetric data and displayed dense aggregation for detached blocks spread over 1,200 km2 between 400 and 1,000 m in w.d.. Living Cold-Water Coral (CWC) communities populate the blocky region and form coral topped mounds. These habitats are important Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) that are exposed to human pressure in the deep sea. Through production of a detailed geomorphological map and an examination of published data on the extent and distribution of CWC communities in the area, we sought to document how comprehensive research into submarine slide topography should also take into account the peculiar characteristics of their biotopes.

Savini, A., Marchese, F., Verdicchio, G., Vertino, A. (2016). Submarine slide topography and the distribution of vulnerable marine ecosystems: A case study in the Ionian Sea (Eastern Mediterranean). In G. Lamarche, J. Mountjoy, S. Bull, T. Hubble, S. Krastel, E. Lane, et al. (a cura di), Submarine Mass Movements and Their Consequences - 7th International Symposium (pp. 163-170). Springer Netherlands [10.1007/978-3-319-20979-1_16].

Submarine slide topography and the distribution of vulnerable marine ecosystems: A case study in the Ionian Sea (Eastern Mediterranean)

SAVINI, ALESSANDRA
Primo
;
MARCHESE, FABIO
Secondo
;
VERTINO, AGOSTINA VALERIA
Ultimo
2016

Abstract

In this work, we sought to document how submarine mass-movements influence the submarine landscape and associated habitat distributions on the upper portion of the northern Ionian Margin (eastern Mediterranean Sea) between 200 m to greater than 1,000 m in water depth (w.d.). In this area, mass-wasting processes have created unique morphological forms that, in turn, have generated high diversity for edaphic and hydrogeologic conditions; and these areas are marked by the patchy occurrence of varying natural benthic habitats. Surficial or sub-surficial Mass-Transport Deposits (MTDs) were documented by seismic and high-resolution morpho-bathymetric data and displayed dense aggregation for detached blocks spread over 1,200 km2 between 400 and 1,000 m in w.d.. Living Cold-Water Coral (CWC) communities populate the blocky region and form coral topped mounds. These habitats are important Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) that are exposed to human pressure in the deep sea. Through production of a detailed geomorphological map and an examination of published data on the extent and distribution of CWC communities in the area, we sought to document how comprehensive research into submarine slide topography should also take into account the peculiar characteristics of their biotopes.
Capitolo o saggio
Submarine geomorphology, Cold-water corals, Coral-topped mounds, Biodiversity, Santa Maria di Leuca
English
Submarine Mass Movements and Their Consequences - 7th International Symposium
Lamarche, G; Mountjoy, J; Bull, S; Hubble, T; Krastel, S; Lane, E; Micallef, A; Moscardelli, L; Mueller, C; Pecher, I; Woelz, S
2016
2016
978-3-319-20979-1
41
Springer Netherlands
163
170
Savini, A., Marchese, F., Verdicchio, G., Vertino, A. (2016). Submarine slide topography and the distribution of vulnerable marine ecosystems: A case study in the Ionian Sea (Eastern Mediterranean). In G. Lamarche, J. Mountjoy, S. Bull, T. Hubble, S. Krastel, E. Lane, et al. (a cura di), Submarine Mass Movements and Their Consequences - 7th International Symposium (pp. 163-170). Springer Netherlands [10.1007/978-3-319-20979-1_16].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/107778
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