Do small marinas drive habitat specific impacts? A case study from Mediterranean Sea

Many human activities add new structures to the marine landscape. Despite the fact that human structures cause some inevitable impacts, surprisingly little information exists on the effects of marina on natural marine assemblages. The aim of this paper is to assess habitat-specific response of benthic sessile organisms of rocky shores in relation to the presence of a small marina. Sampling was carried out at three coastal habitats (midshore, lowshore and subtidal) by means of visual censuses adopting an after-control-impact (ACI) experimental design. It appears that the marina affects the structure and composition of benthic communities of both the midshore and the lowshore. Little effect was evident on shallow subtidal assemblage structure. The results of the present study clearly show habitat-specific responses of coastal benthic assemblages to the presence of infrastructure.

► We assessed habitat-specific response of benthos to the presence of a small marina. ► A number of habitat-specific patterns are evident from the results. ► Coverage of turf forming algae was higher in the marina than controls. ► Coverage of vermetids and encrusting corallines was lower inside the marina. ► Impact is more evident on shallow natural habitats than on deeper ones.