Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Stability of spatial pattern of fish species diversity in the Strait of Sicily (central Mediterranean)

  • Biodiversity in Enclosed Seas
  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this paper, species diversity of demersal fish communities was analysed over an area covering about 45,000 km2 of the Italian side of the Strait of Sicily (central Mediterranean). Fish abundance data come from a 10-year series (1994–2003) of experimental bottom trawl surveys carried out within the framework of the international program MEDITS. A simple GIS-based method was proposed to identify areas supporting high or low values of diversity and evaluate their temporal stability. A well-defined spatio-temporal pattern in diversity emerged from the analysis, with some areas of great ecological relevance being identified. Importantly, the greatest diversity within the fish communities was consistently seen at the offshore bank on the western part of the south Sicilian shelf (Adventure Bank). The site also supports high total biomass of demersal resources and shows the presence of species of great concern to fisheries. Results suggest that Adventure Bank represents a priority site for investigating the possibility of innovative management of marine ecosystems and demersal fisheries in offshore zones.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abelló, P., J. A. Bertrand, L. Gil de Sola, C. Papaconstantinou, G. Relini & A. Souplet, 2002. Mediterranean marine demersal resources: the MEDITS International trawl survey (1994–1999). Scientia Marina 66: 1–280.

    Google Scholar 

  • Agardy, T., 2000. Effects of fisheries on marine ecosystems: a conservationist’s perspective. ICES Journal of Marine Science 57: 761–765.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Agardy, T., 2003. An environmentalist’s perspective on responsible fisheries: the need for holistic approaches. In Sinclair, M. & G. Valdimarsson (eds), Responsible Fisheries in the Marine Ecosystem. FAO, Rome: 65–85.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bianchi, C. N. & C. Morri, 2000. Marine biodiversity of the Mediterranean sea: situation, problems and prospects for future research. Marine Pollution Bulletin 40: 367–376.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Biagi, F., P. Sartor, G. D. Ardizzone, P. Belcari, A. Belluscio & F. Serena, 2002. Analysis of demersal assemblages off the Tuscany and Latium coast (north-western Mediterranean). Scientia Marina 66: 233–242.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chapin, III, F. S., E. S. Zavaleta, V. T. Eviner, R. L. Naylor, P. M. Vitousek, H. L. Reynolds, D. U. Hooper, S. Lavorel, O. E. Sala, S. E. Hobbie, M. C. Mack & S. Diaz, 2000. Consequences of changing biodiversity. Nature 405: 234–242.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Colloca, F., M. Cardinale, A. Belluscio & G. Ardizzone, 2003. Pattern of distribution and diversity of demersal assemblages in the central Mediterranean sea. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 56: 469–480.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duffy, J. E., 2003. Biodiversity loss, trophic skew and ecosystem functioning. Ecology Letters 6: 680–687.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farina A. C., J. Freire & E. Gonzalez-Gurriaran, 1997. Demersal fish assemblages in the Galician continental shelf and upper slope (NW Spain): Spatial structure and long-term changes. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 44: 435–454.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fiorentino, F., G. Garofalo, A. De Santi, G. Bono, G. B. Giusto & G. Norrito, 2003. Spatio-temporal distribution of recruits (0 group) of Merluccius merluccius and Phycis blennoides (Pisces; Gadiformes) in the Strait of Sicily (Central Mediterranean). Hydrobiologia 503: 223–236.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gaertner, J. C., J. A. Bertrand & A. Souplet, 2002. STATIS-CoA: a methodological solution to assess the spatio-temporal organization of species assemblages. Application to the demersal assemblages of the French Mediterranean Sea. Scientia Marina 66: 221–232.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garofalo, G., M. Gristina, F. Fiorentino, F. Cigala Fulgosi, G. Norrito & G. Sinacori, 2003. Distribution pattern of rays in the Strait of Sicily in relation to fishing pressure. Hydrobiologia 503: 245–250.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garofalo, G., F. Fiorentino, G. Bono, S. Gancitano & G. Norrito, 2004. Identifying spawning and nursery areas of Red mullet (Mullus barbatus, L., 1758) in the Strait of Sicily. In Nishida, T., P. J. Kailola & C. E. Hollingworth (eds), GIS/Spatial Analyses in Fishery and Aquatic Sciences, Vol. 2. Fishery-aquatic GIS Research Group, Saitama, Japan: 101–109.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gaston, K. J., 2000. Global patterns in biodiversity. Nature 405: 220–227.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gristina, M., G. Garofalo, M. L. Bianchini, M. Camilleri & F. Fiorentino, 2004. Evaluating the performance of an index of trawling impact in the Strait of Sicily. Biologia Marina Mediterranea 11: 230–241.

    Google Scholar 

  • Groner, E. & A. Novoplansky, 2003. Reonsidering diversity–productivity relationships: directness of productivity estimates matters. Ecology Letters 6: 695–699.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Isaaks, E. H. & R. M. Srivastava, 1989. An Introduction to Applied Geostatistics. Oxford University Press, New York: 561 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jennings, S. & M. J. Kaiser, 1998. The effects of fishing on marine ecosystems. Advances in Marine Biology 34: 201–352.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaiser, M. J., M. C. V. Austen & H. Ojaveer, 2004. European biodiversity action plan for fisheries: issues for non target species. Fisheries Research 69: 1–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kareiva, P. & M. Marvier, 2003. Conserving biodiversity coldspots. American Scientist 91: 344–351.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Labropoulou, M. & C. Papaconstantinou, 2004. Community structure and diversity of demersal fish communities: the role of fishery. Scientia Marina 68 (Suppl. 1): 215–226.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lehman, C. & D. Tilman, 2000. Biodiversity, stability and productivity in competitive communities. The American Naturalist 156: 534–552.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lermusiaux, P. F. J. & A. R. Robinson, 2001. Features of dominant mesoscale variability, circulation patterns and dynamics in the Strait of Sicily. Deep-Sea Research I 48: 1953–1997.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loreau, M., S. Naeem, P. Inchausti, J. Bengtsson, J. P. Grime, A. Hector, D. U. Hooper, M. A. Huston, D. Raffaelli, B. Schmid, D. Tilman & D. A. Wardle, 2001. Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning: current knowledge and future challenges. Science 294: 804–808.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Loreau, M., A. Downing, M. Emmerson, A. Gonzalez, J. Hughes, P. Inchausti, J. Joshi, J. Norberg & O. Sala, 2002. A new look at the relationship between diversity and stability. In Loreau, M., S. Naeem & P. Inchausti (eds), Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning: Synthesis and Perspectives. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 79–91.

  • McCann, K. S., 2000. The diversity-stability debate. Nature 405: 228–233.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mueter, F. J. & B. L. Norcross, 2002. Spatial and temporal patterns in the demersal fish community on the shelf and upper slope regions of the Gulf of Alaska. Fishery Bulletin 100: 559–581.

    Google Scholar 

  • Naeem, S., M. Loreau & P. Inchausti, 2002. Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning: the emergence of a synthetic ecological framework. In Loreau, M., S. Naeem & P. Inchausti (eds), Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning: Synthesis and Perspectives. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 3–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patti, B., A. Cuttitta, A. Bonanno, G. Basitone, G. Buscaino, C. Patti, J. Garcia Lafuente, A. Garcia & S. Mazzola, 2004. Coupling between the hydrographic circulation in the Strait of Sicily and the reproductive strategy of the European anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus: effects on distribution of spawning grounds. In MedSudMed 2004. Report of the MedSudMed Expert Consultation on Small Pelagic Fishes: Stock Identification and Oceanographic Processes Influencing their Abundance and Distribution. GCP/RER/010/ITA/MSM-TD-05. MedSudMed Technical Documents 5: 132 pp.

  • Pauly, D., R. Watson & V. Christensen, 2003. Ecological geography as a Framework for a transition toward responsible fishing. In Sinclair, M. & G. Valdimarsson (eds), Responsible Fisheries in the Marine Ecosystem. FAO, Rome: 87–101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pikitch, E. K., C. Santora, E. A. Babcock, A. Bakun, R. Bonfil, D.O. Conover, P. Dayton, P. Doukakis, D. Fluharty, B. Heneman, E. D. Houde, J. Link, P. A. Livingston, M. Mangel, M. K. McAllister, J. Pope & K. J. Sainsbury, 2004. Ecosystem-based fishery management. Science 305: 346–347.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, A. R., M. Golnaraghi, W. G. Leslie, A. Artegiani, A. Hecht, E. Lazzoni, A. Michelato, E. Sansone, A. Theocharis & U. Unluata, 1991, The Eastern Mediterranean general circulation: features, structure and variability. Dynamics of Atmospheres and Oceans 15: 215–240.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sinclair, M. & G. Valdimarsson, 2003. Responsible Fisheries in the Marine Ecosystem. FAO, Rome: 426 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tilman, D., 2000. Causes, consequences and ethics of biodiversity. Nature 405: 208–211.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ungaro, N., G. Marano, R. Marsan, M. Martino, M. C. Marzano, G. Strippoli & V. Volra, 1999. Analysis of demersal assemblages from trawl surveys in the South Adriatic Sea. Aquatic Living Resources 12: 177–185.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. IAMC – CNR, Section of Mazara del Vallo, Marine Living Resources Assessment (MaLiRA) Group, Via L. Vaccara, 61, 91026, Mazara del Vallo, Trapani, Italy

    G. Garofalo, F. Fiorentino, M. Gristina, S. Cusumano & G. Sinacori

Authors
  1. G. Garofalo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. F. Fiorentino
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Gristina
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. S. Cusumano
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. G. Sinacori
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to G. Garofalo.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Garofalo, G., Fiorentino, F., Gristina, M. et al. Stability of spatial pattern of fish species diversity in the Strait of Sicily (central Mediterranean). Hydrobiologia 580, 117–124 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-006-0460-1

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-006-0460-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation