Biodiversity: The Vermeti Reef
In the euphotic zone of marine environments of the Mediterranean Sea‚ in particular in the tidal and wave areas and in the upper infralittoral zone‚ the bio-builders have given rise to the "vermeti reef ". It is a limestone platform formed by the process of cementing of gastropod mollusks Dendropoma petraeum and Vermetus triquetrus‚ which is consolidated even more by the presence of red algae (rodophyta) such as Neogoniolithon brassica-florida and Lithophyllum lichenoides.
The Vermeti reef is an important bio-structure typical of the Mediterranean Sea‚ similar in many respects to a coral reef‚ which has a fundamental role in changing the appearance and ecological characteristics of rocky coasts. It creates tide pools that expand the space available to the species‚ thus stimulating the biodiversity of the associated species (in the presence of reefs with vermeti the coastal length increases by 2-3 times). In fact‚ there are over 400 associated species‚ including algae‚ polychaetes‚ molluscs and fish.
By definition‚ a bio-construction is any built structure that rises from the bottom towards the surface of the sea which modifies‚ both physically and ecologically‚ the local environment.
A bit of history: In 1854‚ Monsieur de Quadrefages‚ a French naturalist on a study trip to Sicily‚ described a sort of pavement (trottoir) that surrounded the coast of Torre di Isola‚ near Palermo. It was build by sessile gastropod molluscs of the Vermetidae family. A full century passed before two other French naturalists‚ Roger Molinier and Jacques Picard (1954)‚ redescribed the trottoirs vermeti‚ or vermeti reefs. In recent years‚ the ecology group of the University of Palermo has resumed research by the French describing both the main types of reefs and the distribution of structures along the Sicilian coasts‚ assessing the ecological importance of the presence of the reef itself.
The crucial importance of protecting the reef is not only because this favors the growth of biodiversity‚ but above all because it turns out to be a good ecological indicator. The growth and structure of the vermeti reef is influenced by various environmental factors such as temperature‚ salinity‚ the amount of dissolved oxygen‚ surface hydrodynamism‚ pH change‚ the concentration of dissolved atmospheric CO2 and anthropogenic factors such as the trampling caused by the use of the reef as a support point for people’s entry into the sea.
It is therefore essential to acknowledge the importance of the vermeti reefs‚ so that it is known that this should not be considered a "pavement" on which to walk comfortably‚ but an important bio-indicator that must be protected.There is a way to assign an economic value to every good and service that ecosystems provide free to man. Safeguarding the vermeti reef does not only have an environmental value but also offers services linked to a healthy ecosystem‚ from the production of food (shellfish and crabs) that favors the growth of the associated marine species that feed on the vermeti reefs‚ to the protection of the coast that contrasts the phenomenon of erosion and the increase in tourism.
The role of divers in protecting the marine environment is fundamental. Project Aware unites divers and sea enthusiasts to make a difference. Follow an AWARE diving course with us:
Sign up for the PADI Project AWARE Specialist course; this diving course helps divers understand the problems the seas and oceans are facing and in an interactive way makes us think about what we‚ divers and not‚ in our own small way can do.
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