1 - Harbours and ports, especially if located in the nearby of brackish-water environments, can provide a significant chance to biological invasions. To date, in the Livorno port, twenty alien species have been recorded, fifteen of which are established. 2 - Presence, abundance, size and sex ratio of the mud crab Rhithropanopeus harrisii, a newly introduced invasive species, have been assessed in six sampling stations along the brackish-water canals between Pisa and Livorno towns. Samplings were carried out in summer and fall 2013. 3 - R. harrisii appeared fully established in the majority of the sampling stations. Reproduction occurs between May and July and sex ratio varied between reproductive and post-reproductive period, with females more abundant before the reproduction. 4 - Individuals of R. harrisii were more abundant in stations close to Livorno port, whereas they were scarce or sporadic in the northernmost stations, close to the main flow of the Arno River. 5 - Due to the high invasive potential of R. harrisii, a closer monitoring of brackish-water environments along the north-western Italian coast is needed, in order to assess and prevent further invasions.
1 - Environmental management is based on the environmental response to cumulative stress. We identified and evaluated cumulative impacts arising from 11 small-size commercial/processing/industrial units at the 92.9 km2 catchment of Panagiouda-Pamfilla bay, Lesvos Island, North East Aegean, Greece, by devising a methodology suitable in the case of lack of data on actual impacts. 2 - Our methodology consisted of the following steps: definition of spatial boundaries; development of an environmental baseline; scoping of key industrial units, environmental receptors and valued environmental components for cumulative impacts; construction of a conceptual framework of cumulative environmental change that links causes, pathways and results of change on environmental receptors and valued environmental components; assessment of the likelihood and significance of impacts on valued environmental components; and recommendations on management practices. 3 - Significant impacts are likely to have accumulated at the studied region on the environmental receptors of ground, air, water, fauna, common utility, aesthetics, recreation, and cultural heritage. Disposal of wastes, water consumption and air pollution are of immediate priority for the environmental management of the studied region. 4 - The proposed methodology for the analysis, evaluation and management of cumulative impacts at the watershed level is generic, systematic, straightforward, flexible, holistic, and synthetic. It’s rather qualitative nature may make it particularly useful within the context of regional development planning when there is no data on actual impacts. However, it requires Geographic Information System expertise and is based on expert/professional judgment.
1 - Studying the expressed proteome in mussel tissues is important to understand many different biological, physiological and ecological aspects that may be of advantage in shellfish rearing, encompassing growth cycle, food safety and traceability as well as understanding the biological effects of environmental pollution and climate change. 2 - The present work attempted to accomplish a systematic characterization of the foot muscle proteome of M. galloprovincialis, to gather data about its variability in physiological conditions occurring in different environments of mussel rearing and to identify a putative set of protein biomarkers that may be significantly correlated to environmental factors. 3 - A total of 360 mussels were sampled from three different lagoons of Sardinia, each one characterized by its different environmental and ecological system. According to a double latin square design, a smaller subgroup of 54 mussels that was representative of the original population was submitted to proteomics analysis and trace metals quantification. Classical and multivariate statistics was performed to correlate protein expression data to trace metal content and to environmental parameters recorded in situ. 4 - A protein expression pattern of 79 protein was identified as related to the response to environmental stressors like dissolved oxygen, water acidity, temperature and trace metals. 5 - The identified proteins are cytoskeletal proteins (α-tubulin, β-tubulin, myosin light chains and tropomyosin) or are involved in metabolic pathways (fructose bisphosphate aldolase), in energy pathways (cytosolic malate dehydrogenase and arginine kinase), in antioxidant defense (protein disulfide isomerase) and in protein turnover (different isoforms of the heat shock proteins Hsp70 and Hsc71); also the histone protein H2B is reported. 6 - Our preliminary results show that there is correlation between the expressed protein pattern and the environmental conditions, confirming the findings of other proteomics works carried out on different mussel tissues and other marine invertebrates. Further validation procedures of the identified correlations must be accomplished in order to regard the identified proteins as biomarkers for environmental pollution and climate change
1 - This study analyses some aspects of Carcinus aestuarii biology within the project MOLEVAR (Pilot Project For The Production Of Moleche (C. aestuarii): New Economy For Varano Lagoon) funded by FEP-Puglia 2007-2013 (European Funds for Fishing) in order to evaluate the crabs, Carcinus aestuarii, as a new economic resource for Varano Lagoon (Southern Italy). 2 - The Varano lagoon is located on the Northern coast of the Gargano Promontory (Southern Adriatic Sea). The lagoon and the neighboring coastal area are exploited by mussel farming, although such activity was recently reduced within the lagoon, where the fishery is now the most important resource. 3 - The population structure of C. aestuarii will be studied in three different sites of the Varano lagoon. A total of 205 specimens were obtained from May to December 2012; 192 males and 13 females were observed. Length (CL) and width (CW) of the carapace and total weight (TW), were determined sex ratio. The overall sex ratio was in favor of males (χ2= 11.08). At the same time, water temperature, salinity, were measured with a multiparametric probe. 4 - The ovigerous females (n=2) were caught only December in Capojale site. The catches highest (n=46) were recorded in June month in the Capojale site. The highest abundance was found during June 2012 (44 males and 2 females) of which 23 in Capojale, 22 in Varano and 1 specimen in San Nicola Imbuti station, respectively. 5 - The information on the abundance, life cycle and functional role of this crab is still lacking for Varano lagoon. The data so far do not allow us to have a complete picture of the dynamics of the population, especially because it lacks most of the female component.
1 - Transitional water ecosystems constitute extremely complex and productive environments, a preferred route of migrating birds and optimal nursery locations for many fish species. In these interesting environments, descriptors of trophic relationships between species in a web have been suggested as potential integrative and sensitive endpoints for anthropogenic pressure. 2 - To better understand the effects of environmental disturbance on the resident macroinvertebrate assemblage structure, we analysed food webs in three neighbouring transitional water ecosystems located along the Thyrrenian coastal area of Central Italy (Lake Caprolace, Lake Fogliano and Lake Sabaudia), which are affected by different inputs of nitrates from agricultural, farming and urban activities. 3 - Macrozoobenthos, aquatic macrophytes and attached macroalgae, leaf detritus from sediments and suspended organic matter in the water column were sampled at four sites in each ecosystem and stable isotope analysis (C and N) was carried out in order to describe trophic pathways and the food web structure. 4 - a15N values of macroinvertebrates increased from Caprolace to Sabaudia according to increasing nitrate concentration derived from organic sources. Macrozoobenthic assemblages varied in species composition with the lowest biodiversity found in Sabaudia, the most polluted ecosystem. Also proportion of primary consumers, predators and omnivorous species varied, with cascade effects on food web topology and nutrient flow pathways. 5 - In particular, omnivorous and generalist predators were more numerous in Sabaudia, where food chains were longer and webs less compartmentalised than in Caprolace and Fogliano. In Sabaudia a lower level of web robustness to species loss was also observed. 6 - These results suggest that nitrogen pollution can be responsible of evident changes in the architecture of biodiversity between ecosystems, determining less robust trophic structures with strong implication for biodiversity management and conservation.
1 - This study related recent distribution changes in seven macroalgae taxa (Acetabularia acetabulum, Chaetomorpha linum, Cladophora sp., Gracilariopsis longissima, Spyridia sp., Ulva laetevirens, Valonia aegagrophyla) to spatial (basin) and temporal (time) trophic differences in a meso-eutrophic Mediterranean coastal lagoon (Orbetello, Italy). 2 - In July 2003 and July 2009, the coverage percentage (CP) of each considered taxon was measured in 38 stations equally distributed in the Western and Eastern lagoon basins. All data were analysed using SURFER v8.0 software along with ANOVA, ANOSIM and multivariate analyses to produce geostatistical spatial distribution maps and to estimate statistical probabilities for “basin” and “time” factors. 3 - Data from this study were integrated with data on phanerogams reported by Giovani et al. (2010) to evaluate changes occurring at a functional group level from 2003-2009 using the Ecological Evaluation Index (EEI). 4 - Observed macroalgae changes may have been due to lagoon management activities performed during the study period. The removal of direct nitrate inputs seems to have forced specie-specific shifts that were highly significant only in the Western basin. 5 - Statistically significant differences at the taxon level have been indicated for Spyridia sp. (basin and time) and Cladophora sp. (time) taxa. Other non-significant changes included a rarefaction of Chaetomorpha linumin the Western basin and Spyridia sp. in the Eastern basin, and an increase of Gracilariopsis longissima, C. linum and Valonia aegagrophyla in the Eastern basin. 6 - EEI application indicated a general improvement in water quality due to management measures applied in Western basin, whereas the Eastern basin evidences stability/slight degradation from 2003-2009
1 - The quali-quantitative analysis of phytoplankton guild is usually carried out according to the method of Uthermol (or sedimentation method), but in each step can be present a component of error that can affect the reliability of the final result, from sampling to data analysis. 2 - The following work is intended to focus attention on an important aspect of the phytoplankton analysis: the fixation, with the aim of assessing the effect of two chemical fixatives, formalin and Lugol’s solution, on the taxonomic composition and size structure of phytoplankton guilds. Accordingly, water samples were collected from three different water bodies, coastal marine area facing the Alimini Lake (Southern Adriatic Sea), transitional water (Alimini Grande Lake) and freshwater (Fontanelle Lake). The three water bodies are characterized by a different taxonomic structure of phytoplankton guilds due to difference in chemical-physical and hydrodynamic conditions. 3 - The samples were fixed and then analyzed according to a monthly time series for a period of 125 days. 4 - This study clearly shows that do not exist a better fixative, but on the basis of the phytoplankton classes observed in a sample we could prefer one of the two fixative
1 - The accurate evaluation of benthic macroinvertebrate taxonomic diversity in transitional water ecosystems is strictly related to sampling effort and, usually, biomonitoring protocols define the sampling effort needed to the elaboration of a specific ecological indicator. The time-lag between the sampling event and the final assessment of ecological status, and to overall costs for sampling, personnel and sample treatment suggest a reduction of sampling effort. 2 - How to simplify methods and to reduce efforts without compromising the ecological validity of taxonomic diversity indicators is a topic recurrently debated in the procedures for sampling protocol implementation. Regarding this topic, the identification of optimal sample unit size (SUS) and sieve mesh size (SMS) is still lacking, mainly for benthic macroinvertebrates of Mediterranean transitional water ecosystems. 3 - The present study analyzes the effect of the increasing the sampling effort in terms of sample unit size (SUS; 0.0225 m2, 0.0450 m2, 0.0675 m2, 0.0900 m2) and sieve mesh size (SMS; 0.5 mm, 1 mm, 2 mm) on the estimation of taxonomic diversity in a Mediterranean lagoon. Benthic macroinvertebrates were collected in September 2009 at two locations, considering a perturbed and a relatively unperturbed study site of Lesina lagoon (South-East Italy). Samples were sieved on a column of three decreasing mesh sizes of sieves. Taxonomic richness (S), Shannon–Weaver index (H’), Simpson index (λ) and Taxonomic distinctness (TD) were calculated for each study site, SUS and SMS combination, and replicate. The difference between perturbed and relatively unperturbed site was tested according to the variation of sampling effort using three-way ANOVA tests. 4 - As expected, the accuracy of the results increased with increasing of SUS and SMS, the difference between perturbed and relatively unperturbed study site were always highlighted by each taxonomic diversity index, independently by used SUS and SMS. The variation of taxonomic diversity indicators seems to depend mainly by used sieve mesh size suggesting the reduction of sampling effort through the reduction of sample unit size. 5 - Finally, this contribution could be useful in harmonizing sampling methodologies for the cost-effectiveness taxonomic diversity estimation and biomonitoring programs.
1 - Total levels of persistent organic pollutants (polychlorinated biphenyls, organochlorine pesticides, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) in sediments and edible tissues (muscle and liver) from a fish species of great local commercial interest (Anguilla anguilla L., yellow phase) were determined in Varano and Orbetello lagoons, Italy. 2 - The aim of this study was to improve knowledge on relationships occurring among levels of chemicals in sediments and fish tissues relating them reciprocally and to different intensities of human pressure. 3 - Studied ecosystems were selected due to the notable scientific knowledge acquired by previous detailed research on meteorology, geomorphology, hydrodynamics, types and distribution of local factors linked to different sources of human-made pollution. Samplings were performed in July 2009 according to a logic model based on a priori defined factors of interest and obtained results were statistically analysed in order to evaluate the significance of observed data segregation related to the selected factors. 4 - Concerning levels measured in sediments, significant differences were observed between lagoons in terms of .PAHs and .OCPs. According to National and international recognised sediment quality guidelines, results evidenced the occurrence of non-critical POPs values in sediments. 5 - Results on sediments are associated to very high levels in eel's tissues. Concerning eels, Orbetello lagoon is characterized by significant higher values of .OCPs than Varano, evidencing the presence of an important OCPs local source. 6 - Different human pressure levels produce significant differences in both sediments and eel's tissues in Varano and Orbetello lagoons.
1 - Phytoplankton populations and environmental parameters were analysed seasonally in the lagoon of Nador (Morocco) over an annual cycle (2006-2007) at six stations. Seven phytoplankton Classes were observed: Diatomophyceae, Dinophyceae, Raphidophyceae, Prasinophyceae, Euglenophyceae, Dictyochophyceae and Cyanophyceae. Seven taxa were identified that may present a risk of inducing harmful blooms i.e. Alexandrium minutum, Pseudonitzschia delicatissima and P. fraudulenta, Prorocentrum minimum, Prorocentrum rhatymum, Dinophysis sacculus, Gymnodinium catenatum and Karenia mikimotoi. Physico-chemical analyses were carried out on water samples: Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) and nutrients (NH4 +, NO3-, PO4 3- and SiO2).2 - Favourable and unfavourable factors for bloom development were identified. The possible relations between environmental parameters and the occurrence of potentially harmful phytoplankton blooms were investigated through a Factorial Discriminant Analysis. The proliferation of potentially harmful phytoplankton was linked to the availability of various nutrients (N, P, Si). Prorocentrum minimum tolerated waters with high nitrate contents, while Alexandrium minutum tolerated nutrientpoor waters. The most frequently observed taxa, Pseudonitzschia species and Dinophysis sacculus, were adapted to variations of water quality. Excessive levels of nutrients appeared as inhibiting for proliferation of potentially harmful phytoplankton which disappeared for the benefit of a very dense bloom of Tetraselmis sp. (Prasinophyceae).3 - A risk of toxicity was observed during all samplings throughout the lagoon, it was particularly pronounced during the summer sampling in the northern continental part of the lagoon with proliferation of Pseudonitzschia species.
1 - The Long-Term Ecosystem Research (LTER) network, now a global reality, was founded on a combination of long-term ecological studies, short-term experiments, and comparisons among sites and eco-domains. 2 - The LTER-Italy network was officially established as a formal member of the LTER international network in 2006, following a wider on-going process in Europe; it currently consists of 22 sites representing the main ecosystem typologies of Italy. Four coastal transitional ecosystem sites are included in the LTER-Italy network: on the northern Peninsula, these include the Venice Lagoon and the lagoons of the Po River Delta, which are characterized by a temperate climate and the influence of tides; and in the southern sector, these include the coastal ecosystems of Sardinia and the Mar Piccolo of Taranto, which are characterized by a Mediterranean climate and the absence of sensible tides. 3 - In this paper, we present and discuss three main issues: (1) the LTER-International and LTER-Europe context, emphasising the most practical issues and activities that must be addressed for the effective organization and maintenance of LTER networks; (2) the history, structure, and perspectives of the national LTER-Italy network; and (3) the opportunities, strengths, and weaknesses related to participation of the LTER-Italy network in the study of coastal transitional ecosystems.
1 - The purpose of this study was to describe the basic characteristics of the European anchovy occurring in the Lagoon of Lesina in order to increase our knowledge of the ecology of the species in a lagoon ecosystem. 2 - Samples were collected between May and November 2012 using fyke nets. A hundred individuals per sample were measured and weighed. Sex was determined and the fish gonads were macroscopically classified. Length-frequency histograms were obtained, and the length-weight relationships and condition factors were estimated. 3 - The results of this study showed that the anchovies caught in the Lagoon of Lesina were relatively small. The growth of anchovies in the lagoon was often positively allometric (b>3) and exponent b was frequently greater than the value estimated for specimens in the Adriatic Sea in the same months. 4 - The sex ratio of anchovies in this study was skewed towards females in almost all the sampling period. Macroscopic analysis of the gonads revealed that spawning took place during spring-summer, and it prolonged until October in the females. One peak of ripe females and males was observed in June and one in August-September. 5 - This study suggests that the anchovy population in the Lagoon of Lesina is probably composed of a large number of young individuals at the first maturity. Individual growth seems to be positively affected by the environmental conditions of the lagoon, which probably provide the anchovies with a substantial trophic advantage.
1 - In this study, the macrobenthos from different habitats in the Sacca di Goro lagoon (Po River Delta, Italy) is analysed by following a multi-scale spatio-temporal approach, with the aim of evaluating the spatial patchiness and stability of macroinvertebrate assemblages in the lagoon. The scale similarity is examined by using a taxonomic metrics based on the Kullback-Leibler divergence and a related index of similarity. 2 - Data were collected monthly during one year in four dominant habitat types, which were classified on the basis of main physiognomic traits (type of vegetation and anthropogenic impact). Three of the selected habitats were natural (macroalgal beds, bare sediment and Phragmitetum) and one anthropogenically modified (the licensed area for Manila clam farming). Each habitat was sampled in a variable number of stations representative of specific microhabitats, with three replicates each. 3 - Of the 47 taxa identified, only few species were found exclusively in one habitat type, with low densities. No taxon was dominant in all the considered habitats. 4 - The results show that, in spite of the large overlapping of species, the spatio-temporal dissimilarity within each habitat type was higher than expected on the basis of the common physiognomic traits. This suggests that local factors (mainly hydrodynamism, quality and quantity of vegetal matter) play a significant role in determining the structure of the macroinvertebrate assemblages. 5 - The dissimilarity between habitats was significant and maintained all over the seasonal progression, indicating that the macroinvertebrate assemblages were steadily different. Each habitat allowed some specific taxa to maintain a significant population size, which is a prerequisite for preserving biodiversity. 6 - The variety of vegetation types and hydrodynamic conditions in the lagoon emerges as crucial for sustaining biodiversity and capacity to recover from disturbances.
1 - Venice Lagoon is characterized by many different shallow-water habitats, where salt marshes represent important habitats for many nektonic species. On the other side, small lagoon islands show a typical landscape dominated by agricultural gardens and orchards, that still host small ditches once used in traditional fishery activities but now abandoned. 2 - Aims of this study is to determine the productivity of these habitats for the nektonic community, referring to the small teleost Aphanius fasciatus (Valenciennes, 1821), listed in Annex II of ‘Habitat’ Directive 92/43/CEE. 3 - One year monthly samplings were performed in four sites: two natural salt marshes and two systems of artificial ditches. All collected fish were photographed and then released. Only a sub-sample was preserved for laboratory analysis. 4 - Data show that artificial habitats host higher biomass of A. fasciatus, yielding higher secondary production respect to natural salt marshes, while P:B ratios vary in accordance to different environmental features and the related life history strategies adopted by the four populations. 5 - Results of this study highlight the relevance of these artificial habitats in the conservation of an important resident fish species.
1 - Comprehensive understanding of biological diversity patterns requires quantifying spatial dynamic processes. Mathematical modelling offers an array of techniques to investigate ecosystem processes that cannot be observed directly or tested experimentally.2 - In the 1990’s, a new paradigm for biodiversity studies appeared - called metacommunities - combining ecological and biogeographical concepts of species assemblages. A metacommunity is defined as a set of local communities linked by the exchanges of individuals at the regional scale. This relatively simple definition led to the development of theoretical frameworks (e.g. emphasizing neutrality, patch dynamics, species sorting and mass effects) that generated some controversy about the relative importance of the local ecological niche-based processes and regional dispersal processes. Recent studies have demonstrated that several of these proposed theories can lead to similar results when simulating the dynamics of metacommunity systems.3 - Thus, it does not seem possible to adequately prove whether or not local processes predominate over regional ones from available datasets, even if several evaluation criteria are combined. This is why metacommunity modelling is an important step toward quantifying changes in marine biodiversity. Models can be improved by unifying population dynamics processes and by establishing accurate typologies of parameter estimates. Validation should be performed by carrying out ad hoc experiments, testing dynamic properties; however, the design and implementation of these experiments remain difficult because of the lack of large-scale experimental facilities under controlled conditions.4 - Metacommunity modelling seems however to be promising for a broad range of applications in the domain of conservation of marine biodiversity, and particularly in that it can provide objective criteria to define Marine Protected Areas as a function of regional biodiversity conservation goals.
1 - Transitional waters are ecotones between freshwater, marine and terrestrial ecosystems and include a number of different ecosystem types, one of which is constituted by lagoons. 2 - Lagoons are important patches in the coastal landscapes, which constitute for their ecological relevance a priority habitat (1150) in the EC Nature 2000 Directive. 3 - In the Northern part of Scotland and in the Scottish islands, lagoons are typical coastal ecosystems, while estuaries dominate the Southern Scottish coast. 4 - In this study, we investigate the phytoplankton communities in six Scottish lagoons in Orkney Islands (Kirwall, Ouse, Oyce of Isbister, Point of Backaquoy, Skaith and Loch of Stenness), describing their taxonomic composition and abundance. 5 - The taxonomic list consists of 9 phyla and 16 classes, including 160 taxa, which are evenly distributed among classes. Generally, the higher taxonomical abundance in the studied lagoons is reached by Bacillariophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Coscinodiscophyceae and Dinophyceae. The dominant groups among all the systems in terms of number of cells are: small undetermined phytoplankton and phytoflagellates, which are numerically abundant in all the six Scottish lagoons, Bacillariophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Coscinodiscophyceae, Cyanophyceae and Fragilariophyceae.
1 - Coastal marine and transitional water ecosystems are threatened world-wide by invasions of nonindigenous invertebrate species, altering community structure and ecosystem functioning. 2 - Here, we report on the occurrence of the Atlantic blue crab Callinectes sapidus in transitional water ecosystems of the Apulia coastline (Salento peninsula, SE Italy). 3 - Blue crabs were sampled seasonally, every three months over a whole-year period in the Torre Colimena basin (Ionian Sea) and Acquatina lagoon (Adriatic Sea). Specimens were identified and enumerated. In addition, their hemolymph was screened for parasite infections using histological techniques. 4 - Callinectes sapidus was sampled in the Torre Colimena basin, where no other crab species were collected during the whole experimental period. In contrast, in the Acquatina Lagoon four crab species were sampled, including C. sapidus. 5 - The parasitic dinoflagellate Hematodinium sp., known to determine in C. sapidus the degenerative bitter crab syndrome in its native habitats, was ubiquitously detected in the hemolymph of blue crabs from both habitats and in autochthonous brachyurans collected in the Acquatina Lagoon. 6 - An assessment of the diverse spectrum of potential ecological effects triggered by the Callinectes-Hematodinium interaction on autochthonous brachyuran species is presented, together with a preliminary evaluation of the molecular approaches to be implemented in order to verify the speciesspecificity of the host-parasite interaction.
1 - Phytoplankton is considered as a natural bioindicator of water quality because of its sensitivity and its complex and rapid response to change of environmental conditions. 2 - The aim of this study was to investigate and provide important new information about the checklist of phytoplankton species in different lagoons of the Faafu atoll in Maldivian archipelago. 3 - A total of 140 phytoplankton taxa were identified. In terms of species richness, dinoflagellates were the largest group with 55 identified taxa belonging to 22 genera. Coscinodiscophyceae recorded 38 taxa belonging to 14 genera; Bacillariophyceae represented by 18 taxa belonging to 10 genera and Fragilariophyceae recorded 11 taxa belonging to 8 genera. Most of the other classes were poorly represented with only one or , at most, two taxa for each genus.
Introduction This Theme Section summarizes the concept and results of the Workshop held in the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, which was took place in Crete over the period 27th-28th April, 2009, in the context of the Theme 1 of the Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning (MarBEF) Network of Excellence, funded by the EC. The overall goal of the Theme 1 was to explore large-scale long-term marine biodiversity patterns along the European territorial seas and potential factors affecting those patterns. By the final year of MarBEF, the idea of a Workshop which would focus on developing new theory and/or expanding the theory (X-Theory) hitherto prevailing in certain fields of marine biodiversity, and which should be targeted to young researchers (primarily PhD students and post doctoral researchers), was proposed and subsequently approved and funded by the Network of Excellence. The main concept behind the idea of the Workshop was to broaden the hitherto current agenda and to facilitate the formulation of scientific hypotheses and the rigorous testing of these hypotheses by the MarBEF community members after the end of the Project. The latter would provide to the scientific community the next challenges to be met in certain fields of the marine biodiversity and would thus provide a cohesive power to the MarBEF scientific community by setting common goals for the scientists to work on and achieve. Such collaborative effort would be easier to develop at the end of the project because the members of the MarBEF scientific community had already the experience of common work and thus this collaboration would keep this spirit of solidarity and complementarity alive till new funding would be raised to keep the Network going ahead.
