LAUSR

In the Mediterranean Sea, coralline algae assemblages (i.e. rhodolith beds and coralligenous assemblages) are considered biodiversity hotspots comparable to tropical reefs. However, information regarding their environmental distribution is still poor. In this view, relevant international actions have been adopted by the European Union to fill this gap. This work represents one of a few cases of predictive (fine-scale) habitats distribution map obtained through an integrated semi-automatic approach based on bathymetry, backscatter, seismic profiles, video, and sampling data. The used method has permitted the identification of nine morphological zones, four backscatter facies, and four benthic habitats distributed on the Zannone seafloor (western Pontine Archipelago; Tyrrhenian Sea). In particular, the finding of widespread sensitive habitats (i.e. coralligenous assemblages and rhodolith beds) reveals as the marine area off the western Pontine Archipelago (Tyrrhenian Sea) is highly suitable for their development (distance from the mainland, lack of river mouths), confirming the relevant ecological value of the Zannone area. Therefore, such information constitutes an update to the Mediterranean habitats distribution inventory, highlighting the need for the application of protection actions possibly targeted in the establishment of a Marine Protected Area.