Central and Southern Aegean

Zoobenthos dry weight biomass; Zoobenthos taxonomic abundance

In the framework of the assessment of the marine environment for the preparation of a multidisciplinary management plan for the protection of the monk seal 'Monachus monachus' we obtained preliminary information on marine benthos diversity of shallow waters along the coasts of the above Natura 2000 sites. Sampling depth was around 5 m for the Ponnar grab and 10-20 for the dredge. Three to five grab replicates were taken at each station and then used as a pooled sample. The type of the sediment was noted (mud to pebbles, with or without phanerogams) before sieving through a 1 mm sieve. Grab sample analysis revealed 309 species (among them 8 species are, or have proposed to be protected) while that of the dredge material, 367 and 12 species respectively. All data were compiled by the holding centre.

University of Athens, Department of Biology, Laboratory of Zoology
Panepistimiopolis
Athens

157 01
Greece