A regional assessment of cumulative impact mapping on Mediterranean coralligenous outcrops

摘要: In the last decade, ‘Cumulative Pressure and Impact Assessment’ (CPIA) approach emerged as a tool to map expected impacts on marine ecosystems. However, CPIA assumes linear response of ecosystems increasing level cumulative pressure weighting sensitivity different anthropogenic pressures through expert judgement. We applied Mediterranean coralligenous outcrops over 1000 km Italian coastline. Extensive field surveys were conducted assess actual condition assemblages at varying levels human pressure. As increased, clear shift from bioconstructors turf-dominated was found. The model originally assumed for did not fit relationship between impact versus assemblage degradation. A log-log model, instead, best fitted data predicted in study area able appreciate whole range scenarios. Hence, relative importance drivers explaining observed pattern degradation aligned with weights opinion. Such findings stress need more incisive efforts collect empirical evidence ecosystem-specific responses order refine predictions.