Abstract

HERRERA-PAZ, David L.; DE LA NUEZ, Daril  and  VALERO-RODRIGUEZ, Juan M.. Algae Communities as Bioindicators of Environmental Quality on a Rocky Shore of Mediterranean (S. E. Iberian Peninsula). rev. cienc. [online]. 2015, vol.19, n.1, pp.25-40. ISSN 0121-1935.

Ecological tools are commonly used to monitor ecosystems and improve their evaluation and management. Bioindicadors are a good option to use for this purpose. Macroalgae stand out as good bioindicators of environmental quality. In the present study, algal communities were comparedbetween protected and unprotected marine areas. We compared algal cover in relation with the areas under study, and calculated similarity values to determine the most relevant species and to those, we applied multi-dimensional scaling tests. In total, we identified 13 algal species. The cover of Cystoseiramediterranea and Ellisolandia elongata was higher in the protected area, while Ulva intestinalis and Caulerpa racemosa were predominant in the unprotected area. The latter two species are considered bioindicators of impacted areas

Keywords : Marine Protected Areas (MPAs); MDS; bioindicators; algae coverage; anthropogenic effects; Mediterranean Sea.

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