A method to measure three-dimensional substratum rugosity for ecological studies: an example from the date-mussel fishery desertification in the north-western Mediterranean

The impact of date-mussel fishery on substratum rugosity was evaluated at Capo Noli and Isola di Bergeggi (Savona, northwestern Italian coast) in the summer of 2004. A new measure of substratum rugosity was used as a surface-dependent index of complexity. The results were compared between impact and control sites using two-way analysis of variance and suggested that the mussel fishery reduces substratum complexity.