Actions of Archipelagos

Due to the immense importance of littoral ecosystems, Archipelagos have spent more than 10 years collecting data and monitoring the shallow littoral zone communities of the eastern Aegean Sea. The high productivity of these zones attracts many organisms to coastal regions, and the biodiversity of littoral systems still requires further research to be fully understood.

As tourist industry is growing gradually even in the most isolated parts of the Aegean, and anthropogenic impacts on the coastal environment are increasing, monitoring the littoral zone will help understand the effects humans are having on the marine ecosystems. The collection of data on the biodiversity and ecology of littoral ecosystems enables us to get an understanding of local conditions, processes and the impacts of threats. This knowledge enables the development of successful and targeted management plans.

Archipelagos research on the littoral zone ecosystems focuses on the assessment of the biodiversity of fish, invertebrates and algae. These surveys are carried out with visual census techniques; employing the use of line transects and quadrats. Apart from the biodiversity, other parameters such as light levels, temperature, depth, substrate type and exposure are also assessed.

Specific research projects include:

• The assessment of the growth and morphology of the invasive algae species Caulerpa racemosa, as well as its impact on biodiversity. With the use of both laboratory and field experiments, the effects of C.racemosa on the growth of macroalgal and invertebrate communities are assessed.

• The assessment of the cover and health of Posidonia oceanica seagrass beds and the impact caused to them by trawling, as well as anchorage of recreational boats. You can view here a devoted section on Archipelagos’ research on Posidonia meadows.

• Using dropdown camera equipment to map the extent of P.oceanica, followed by lepidochronological analyses to assess the ecological status of the meadows.

• The assessment of the impact caused by overgrazing by sea urchins on the biodiversity of algae and invertebrates.

• The use of loggers for the monitoring of temperature and light intensity

• The assessment of the impact of island erosion in littoral ecosystems, with the use of sediment traps

• The use of the Water framework directive to monitor littoral pollution, with the use of benthic macroalgae as bioindicators

• Assessment of recolonisation rates and biodiversity in different substrates (artificial and natural)

• Effects of exposure and substratum on fish community structure on littoral habitats

• The assessment of horizontal, vertical and diurnal behavior of plankton

• The assessment of water quality in the littoral zone

These data allows Archipelagos to identify areas of special environmental importance in the Aegean Sea, for which sustainable management & conservation schemes are developed, established and applied, in close collaboration with the local communities and authorities.