title: Coastal defence through low crested breakwater structures: jumping out of the frying pan into the fire?
abstract: The Adriatic coast of Punta Marina (Ravenna) is protected by 3-km long low crested breakwater structures (LCSs). Through a 3-years long multidisciplinar study, we assessed the impact of such defensive structures on environmental and biological condition. LCSs create pools where conditions are very different from the surrounding nearshore system. Mechanical disturbance by currents and waves varied greatly in intensity and frequency between seaward and landward sides of the structures. Sedimentary budget was positive at the landward side, but it was due to a gain on the seafloor and not on the emerged beach. The budget at seaward was negative. LCSs determine differences in benthic assemblages, alter the seasonal pattern of communities, and modify seasonal fluctuations of animal assemblages. Landward sheltered areas can be seen as "lagoonal island" surrounded by a "sea of marine habitat". Differences in ecological quality status, obtained through M-AMBI, are due to the sum of these factors.
authors: Department of Biology and Evolution, University of Ferrara, Via L. Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
authors: Cristina
authors: C
authors: Munari
authors: Corinne
authors: C
authors: Corbau
authors: Umberto
authors: U
authors: Simeoni
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: Mistri
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D058448:Biota; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005068:Eutrophication; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis; D057446:Hydrodynamics; D007558:Italy; D008386:Marine Biology / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D008522:Mediterranean Sea; D011482:Protective Devices; D012621:Seasons; D012623:Seawater / Q000032:analysis*; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control*