Title :
Site :
Dates :
May 2001.
Acknowledgement :
Santa Giulia dive center, Santa Giulia (Porto Vecchio)
Abstract
The project is currently being outlined. A first reconnaissance and study site search has been done by boat along the south-eastern coast. Several potential and promising sites have been found.The preliminary aim is to make some sampling of the environmental status around Corsica.
Introduction
More information is due to come.
The aim of this project is to sample the marine environment at a few sites around Corsica. The study will be carried out by making timed census of the fauna on well defined surveillance areas. In addition the diversity of the flora will be recorded together with fauna-flora relational data.
A particularly interesting issue, is the dispersion of the foreign species Caulerpa taxafolia. Caulerpa taxafolia is a tropical species that was accidentally introduced into the Mediterranean by the acquarium of Monaco. Up to recently it has spread all the way to Toulon. It has also been spotted around Corsica. A further search around the sites of interest will be made.
Study sites
A first reconnaissance and study site search has been done at the beginning of November, 1998. Several areas along the south-eastern coast of Corsica were logged. Particularly, two areas were found to have potential sites meeting the requirements of the study: Iles Cerbicales and Réserve Naturelle des Iles Lavezzi.
Abiotic features
Réserve Naturelle des Iles Lavezzi : The sea floor between Corsica and Sardinia is a sedimentary and sandy saddle shaped plain with low relief and a depth not exceeding 50 metres.Iles Cerbicales :
Biotic features
Réserve Naturelle des Iles Lavezzi : Posidonia (Neptune grass) thrive in the mud-sand substrate and form vast meadows.Iles Cerbicales :