AMPHIPOD ASSEMBLAGES BEFORE AND AFTER BEACH NOURISHMENT IN THE CENTRAL ADRIATIC SEA (ITALY)

摘要

This study analyses the amphipod assemblages found in seven sites situated along the coasts of the Marche Region (central Adriatic Sea, Italy), before and after beach nourishment activities. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the changes in the structure and species composition of amphipod assemblages after nourishment. Amphipod samples were collected at each site at 2 m and 5 m depths during two different periods: May-June 2008 (before) and June-July 2010 (after). Granulometrie analyses were alsocarried out at the same depths. Nourishment was performed in two periods: May-November 2009 (in all sites except Civitanova Marche) and February 2010 (only in Civitanova Marche). The amphipod assemblages collected before and after beach nourishment at the two depths differed in terms of species composition and abundance, while no significant differences were observed between the control stations and the impacted stations (affected by beach nourishment). The differences observed can probably be ascribedto the changes in the abiotic and biotic factors caused by the nourishment activities in the seven sites.