Mediterranean Coral Population Dynamics: A Tale of 20 Years of Field Studies

摘要: In contrast with the number of studies on tropical species, analyses variation growth parameters environmental variables in temperate areas are very scarce. The only four species scleractinians has been analyzed natural Mediterranean populations: Cladocora caespitosa (Family: Faviidae), Balanophyllia europaea and Leptopsammia pruvoti Dendrophylliidae), Caryophyllia inornata Caryophylliidae). Notwithstanding importance obtaining information coral population dynamics, first study a scleractinian dates back less than 10 years. To date, field relationships between dynamics available for two solitary dendrophyliid species: B. L. pruvoti. Available literature populations Sea is reviewed present work. As general trends, it seems that: (1) have definite pattern, colonial species; (2) symbiotic more sensitive to increasing temperatures vulnerable global warming. Knowledge significantly increased last 20 years, effort still required gather necessary protecting hotspot biodiversity like from threats change.