18 The Seascape as an Indicator of Environmental Interest and Quality . . .
289
died in massive numbers from 1989 to 2003 but the dynamics of the species has made
it possible to recolonize the zone (Poulicek et al. 2007a, 2007b) and the degraded
populations which appeared in 2005 are once again actively colonizing.
On the other hand, Caulerpa racemosa, which is an invasive species, has appeared
in the bay since 2008 (Cariou et al. 2013). The processing of data which is still in
progress shows that the LIMA index conveyed these developments between 2005
and 2011; the sector of La Revellata dropped one class to yellow (average level of
richness of heritage species and attractive site) due to this species.
The LIMA index conveys the environmental attraction and the richness of heritage species in a defined zone of the Mediterrannean benthos between 0 and – 40 m.
The LIMA index makes possible a spatial comparison of the sites and could even
demonstrate the temporal evolution of these sites; it could therefore help not only
scientists to characterize an ecosystem, but could also help management authorities
in their decisions concerning the protection and management of the territory. This
comprehensive index which has been validated in the Bay of Calvi, is easy to implement, it could be complemented by other indexes such as the “Fish” index (Payrot
2010) and the ICAR (Caulerpa racemosa) (Cariou et al. 2013).
Acknowledgements We would like to thank the Agence de l’Eau Rh ˆ
one Méditerranée Corse for
their help and the Office of the Environment of Corsica for their organization. Thanks to Pierre
Boissery for his enthusiasm and constructive criticism. Thanks also to DREAL of Corsica for its
participation. This publication is MARE paper number 260 and is AFFISH paper number 18.
References
Aronson J, Le Floch E, Gondard H, Romane F, Shater Z (2002) Environmental management in
the Mediterranean region: references and indicators linked to plant biodiversity. Ecol J suppl
9:225–240 (Terre et Vie)
Belsher T, Meinesz A (1995) A deep-water dispersal of the tropical alga Caulerpa taxifolia
introduced into the Mediterranean Aquat Bot 51:163–169
Bellen-Santini D, Lacaza C, Poizat C (1994) The sea and coastal biocenoses of the Mediterranean.
Summary, threats and prospects. Secretariat of fauna and flora, National history museum publ
Fr, p 246
Boudouresque CF (2004) Marine biodiversity in the Mediterranean: status of species, populations
and communities. Trav Sci Parc Nation Port-Cros 20:97–146
Boudouresque CF, Verlaque M (2002) Biological pollution in the Mediterranean sea: invasive versus
introduced macrophyta. Mar Pollut Bul 44:32–38
Boudouresque CF, Bernard G, Pergent G, Shili A, Verlaque M (2009) Regression of Mediterranean
seagrasses caused by natural processes and anthropogenic disturbances and stress: a critical
review. Bot Mar 52:395–418
Bussers JC, Arnould C, Chardon M, Desirere M, Jeuniaux C, Voss J, Voss-Foucart MF (1976)
Contribution to the inventory of marine fauna of the seabed of the Calvi region (Corsica). Bull
Sci Soc Liege 45:123–135
Cariou N, Chéry A, Jousseaume M, Richir J, Lejeune P, Gobert S (2013) L’indice paysager Caulerpa
racemosa I. Ca. R. Actes du Colloques: CARtographie des HAbitats Marins Benthiques: de
l’Acquisition à la Restitution, Brest 26–28 mars 2013; 152–157
289
died in massive numbers from 1989 to 2003 but the dynamics of the species has made
it possible to recolonize the zone (Poulicek et al. 2007a, 2007b) and the degraded
populations which appeared in 2005 are once again actively colonizing.
On the other hand, Caulerpa racemosa, which is an invasive species, has appeared
in the bay since 2008 (Cariou et al. 2013). The processing of data which is still in
progress shows that the LIMA index conveyed these developments between 2005
and 2011; the sector of La Revellata dropped one class to yellow (average level of
richness of heritage species and attractive site) due to this species.
The LIMA index conveys the environmental attraction and the richness of heritage species in a defined zone of the Mediterrannean benthos between 0 and – 40 m.
The LIMA index makes possible a spatial comparison of the sites and could even
demonstrate the temporal evolution of these sites; it could therefore help not only
scientists to characterize an ecosystem, but could also help management authorities
in their decisions concerning the protection and management of the territory. This
comprehensive index which has been validated in the Bay of Calvi, is easy to implement, it could be complemented by other indexes such as the “Fish” index (Payrot
2010) and the ICAR (Caulerpa racemosa) (Cariou et al. 2013).
Acknowledgements We would like to thank the Agence de l’Eau Rh ˆ
one Méditerranée Corse for
their help and the Office of the Environment of Corsica for their organization. Thanks to Pierre
Boissery for his enthusiasm and constructive criticism. Thanks also to DREAL of Corsica for its
participation. This publication is MARE paper number 260 and is AFFISH paper number 18.
References
Aronson J, Le Floch E, Gondard H, Romane F, Shater Z (2002) Environmental management in
the Mediterranean region: references and indicators linked to plant biodiversity. Ecol J suppl
9:225–240 (Terre et Vie)
Belsher T, Meinesz A (1995) A deep-water dispersal of the tropical alga Caulerpa taxifolia
introduced into the Mediterranean Aquat Bot 51:163–169
Bellen-Santini D, Lacaza C, Poizat C (1994) The sea and coastal biocenoses of the Mediterranean.
Summary, threats and prospects. Secretariat of fauna and flora, National history museum publ
Fr, p 246
Boudouresque CF (2004) Marine biodiversity in the Mediterranean: status of species, populations
and communities. Trav Sci Parc Nation Port-Cros 20:97–146
Boudouresque CF, Verlaque M (2002) Biological pollution in the Mediterranean sea: invasive versus
introduced macrophyta. Mar Pollut Bul 44:32–38
Boudouresque CF, Bernard G, Pergent G, Shili A, Verlaque M (2009) Regression of Mediterranean
seagrasses caused by natural processes and anthropogenic disturbances and stress: a critical
review. Bot Mar 52:395–418
Bussers JC, Arnould C, Chardon M, Desirere M, Jeuniaux C, Voss J, Voss-Foucart MF (1976)
Contribution to the inventory of marine fauna of the seabed of the Calvi region (Corsica). Bull
Sci Soc Liege 45:123–135
Cariou N, Chéry A, Jousseaume M, Richir J, Lejeune P, Gobert S (2013) L’indice paysager Caulerpa
racemosa I. Ca. R. Actes du Colloques: CARtographie des HAbitats Marins Benthiques: de
l’Acquisition à la Restitution, Brest 26–28 mars 2013; 152–157