Temperate mesophotic reefs (circalittoral and offshore circalittoral hard/firm habitats), host complex three- dimensional animal forests and are vulnerable habitats protected by international agreements. In order to evaluate and monitor the environmental status of these ecosystems, the multi-parametric index Mesophotic Assemblages Conservation Status (MACS) was developed, including two independent components, namely Index of Status (Is) and Index of Impact (Ii). The Is includes six metrics, targeting conspicuous species diversity, basal layer and canopy composition, whilst the Ii is composed by six metrics targeting siltation level, canopy condition and marine litter occurrence. Underwater video transects recorded with a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) along the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian Seas offered the chance to test the index on a large geographic scale and various ecological settings, for a total of 14 sites subjected to different human pressures. MACS index showed a high potentiality to distinguish among a wide range of environmental conditions, with local critical situations mainly related to high fishing pressure. With respect to other existing indices, MACS is based on a larger number of parameters, resulting in a higher ability to disentangle natural and anthropogenic factors, hence it leads to a better interpretation of local situations. This tool represents a contribution to the requirements for the mon- itoring of these marine environments, set by the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive, the Habitats Directive, and the guidelines of the Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme of the Mediterranean Sea and Coast of the Barcelona Convention.

Depth range
32- 144 m

Mesophotic “mentions”
16 x (total of 7616 words)

Classification
* Presents original data
* Focused on 'mesophotic' depth range
* Focused on 'temperate mesophotic ecosystem'

Fields
Community structure
Disturbances
Management and Conservation
Biodiversity

Focusgroups
Algae (Macro, Turf and Crustose Coralline)
Antipatharia (Black Corals)
Overall benthic (groups)
Porifera (Sponges)
Scleractinia (Hard Corals)

Locations
Italy - Ligurian-Tyrrhenian
Italy - Ligurian-Tyrrhenian

Platforms
Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)