Geological and biological characterization of the Miramare Marine Protected Area, north-eastern Adriatic Sea (Italy)

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Marine protected areas are essential for the conservation of marine environment, biodiversity and geodiversity. Ecosystems are closely linked to the variability of different geological settings and it is important to integrate different data for effective management. To this purpose, geophysical, geological and biological surveys have been carried out in the Miramare Marine Protected Area (north-eastern Adriatic Sea) since 2003 to characterize the seabed and the subsurface. We present seven thematic maps: subsurface maps, morpho-bathymetric maps, sediment texture, bionomic maps and the synthesis in the geo-biological map, which combines and integrates data interpretations from both the geological and biological domains to illustrate the marine environment of Miramare.