17 Seascape Integrity Assessment: A Proposed Index for the Mediterranean Coast
273
defined by a mean seascape integrity value (or a range of values), and then be able
to “classify” a given site according to the computed value without previous cluster
analyses.
The proposed seascape integrity index is also particularly adapted to rocky environments, where relief and biodiversity are directly linked. At present, the lack
of suitable biological index for rocky substrata is obvious, despite numerous scientific studies for that purpose (e.g. Capo 1998; Harmelin et al. 1981; Hereu et al.
2004; Pérez et al. 2000; Pérez 2001; Pérez et al. 2002; Pérez et al. 2003). The
seascape integrity index we developed can then be a new tool that could complement
other existing biological indices, especially those used for the Water Framework Directive (WFD) implementation, such as CARLIT (CArtography of LITtoral and
upper-sublittoral rocky-shore communities; see Ballesteros et al. 2007), or for
the monitoring of fish assemblages, such as FAST (Fish Assemblages Sampling
Technique; see Seytre and Francour 2008, 2009). Moreover, as recommended by
Garcia-Charton et al. (2000), this index could be used to characterise heterogeneity
in relation to the management of fish assemblages within Mediterranean MPAs. In
addition, because the proposed index only entails a low cost for data collection, the
seascape integrity value of a large number of sites can be analysed. If a deep and
important change of seascape occurs, it will then be possible to have a reference
value before and after the modification. In the past, the introduction of invasive
species, such as Caulerpa taxifolia (Meinesz et al. 1993; Meinesz et al. 2001), or
habitat destruction caused by a strong storm like the one that occurred in 2008 along
the Spanish Mediterranean coast (Garcia-Rubies et al. 2009) resulted to a probable, but not quantified, change of seascape integrity value. Habitat restoration for
such disturbed ecosystems is possible, and previous knowledge of the seascape integrity value before the disturbance will be useful in assessing the effectiveness of the
restoration process. Lastly, the ability to quantify seascape complexity allows us to
calculate a degradation function (i.e. as human frequentation increases, habitat stress
increases and habitat complexity decreases), and to assess the carrying capacity of
an ecosystem as proposed by Dixon et al. (1993).
Acknowledgments We sincerely acknowledge Valérie Rico-Raimondino (PACA Region),
Nathalie Quelin (Direction Régionale de l’Environnement et de l’Aménagement du Littoral, PACA
Region) and Pierre Boissery (Agence de l’Eau Rhˆ one Méditerranée Corse) for their permanent
support during the implementation of this study.
References
Airoldi L, Beck MW (2007) Loss, status and trends for coastal marine habitats of Europe. Oceanogr
Mar Biol: ann Rev 45:345–405
Ballesteros E, Torras X, Pinedo S, Garcia M, Mangialajo L, de Torres M (2007) A new methodology
based on littoral community cartography dominated by macroalgae for the implementation of
the European Water Framework directive. Mar Poll Bull 55(1–6):172–180
273
defined by a mean seascape integrity value (or a range of values), and then be able
to “classify” a given site according to the computed value without previous cluster
analyses.
The proposed seascape integrity index is also particularly adapted to rocky environments, where relief and biodiversity are directly linked. At present, the lack
of suitable biological index for rocky substrata is obvious, despite numerous scientific studies for that purpose (e.g. Capo 1998; Harmelin et al. 1981; Hereu et al.
2004; Pérez et al. 2000; Pérez 2001; Pérez et al. 2002; Pérez et al. 2003). The
seascape integrity index we developed can then be a new tool that could complement
other existing biological indices, especially those used for the Water Framework Directive (WFD) implementation, such as CARLIT (CArtography of LITtoral and
upper-sublittoral rocky-shore communities; see Ballesteros et al. 2007), or for
the monitoring of fish assemblages, such as FAST (Fish Assemblages Sampling
Technique; see Seytre and Francour 2008, 2009). Moreover, as recommended by
Garcia-Charton et al. (2000), this index could be used to characterise heterogeneity
in relation to the management of fish assemblages within Mediterranean MPAs. In
addition, because the proposed index only entails a low cost for data collection, the
seascape integrity value of a large number of sites can be analysed. If a deep and
important change of seascape occurs, it will then be possible to have a reference
value before and after the modification. In the past, the introduction of invasive
species, such as Caulerpa taxifolia (Meinesz et al. 1993; Meinesz et al. 2001), or
habitat destruction caused by a strong storm like the one that occurred in 2008 along
the Spanish Mediterranean coast (Garcia-Rubies et al. 2009) resulted to a probable, but not quantified, change of seascape integrity value. Habitat restoration for
such disturbed ecosystems is possible, and previous knowledge of the seascape integrity value before the disturbance will be useful in assessing the effectiveness of the
restoration process. Lastly, the ability to quantify seascape complexity allows us to
calculate a degradation function (i.e. as human frequentation increases, habitat stress
increases and habitat complexity decreases), and to assess the carrying capacity of
an ecosystem as proposed by Dixon et al. (1993).
Acknowledgments We sincerely acknowledge Valérie Rico-Raimondino (PACA Region),
Nathalie Quelin (Direction Régionale de l’Environnement et de l’Aménagement du Littoral, PACA
Region) and Pierre Boissery (Agence de l’Eau Rhˆ one Méditerranée Corse) for their permanent
support during the implementation of this study.
References
Airoldi L, Beck MW (2007) Loss, status and trends for coastal marine habitats of Europe. Oceanogr
Mar Biol: ann Rev 45:345–405
Ballesteros E, Torras X, Pinedo S, Garcia M, Mangialajo L, de Torres M (2007) A new methodology
based on littoral community cartography dominated by macroalgae for the implementation of
the European Water Framework directive. Mar Poll Bull 55(1–6):172–180