An integrated approach for the benthic habitat mapping based on innovative surveying technologies and ecosystem functioning measurements.

ABSTRACT: Among marine ecosystems globally, those in the Mediterranean Sea, are facing many threats. New technologies are crucial for enhancing our understanding of marine habitats and ecosystems, which can be complex and resource-intensive to analyse using traditional techniques. We tested, for the first time, an integrated multi-platform approach for mapping the coastal benthic habitat in the Civitavecchia (northern Latium, Italy) coastal area. This approach includes the use of an Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV), a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV), and in situ measurements of ecosystem functionality. The echosounder data allowed us to reconstruct the distribution of bottom types, as well as the canopy height and coverage of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica. Our study further involved assessing the resp

SUBMITTER: Piazzolla D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10928125 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature