Contributo Allo Studio Fitosociologico Dei Popolamenti Algali Del Mediterraneo Orientale

Abstract

Marine phytocoenoses in the Eastern Mediterranean Setz. — In this paper a survey is given on the benthic communities observed in the Eastern Basin of the Mediterranean Sea. The investigation was carried out in 13 localities with aid of diving technique, down to 70 mt. depth. Samples at greater depths were collected with the use of a bottom-dredge. The data obtained from 56 phytoso-ciological «relevés» are shown in the 6 tables in the text. The ecological analysis has pointed out the subtropical character of the biocoenoses encoutered, due to the environmental factors. The surface Corallinaceae communities and the depth one, markedly in its precorraligenous facies, have exhibited the most conspicuous and subtropical characters. A comparative survey is carried out with the analogous formation which are found in the Western Mediterranean Basin. An attempt is made to interpret the ecological requirements of some algal species, whose distribution in the Mediterranean Sea is of particular interest. The conclusions are given as temporary assumption in view of a more detailed synthetic work to be carried out in the next years on the problems concerning the algal communities in the Mediterranean Sea.