This study is the first large-scale mapping of supralittoral, mediolittoral and upper infralittoral benthic rocky substrate habitats of the Algerian coast. It is a first step to fix the lack of cartographic information and general knowledge of coastal marine habitats in Algeria. 2D digital habitat mapping was carried out along 450 km of coastline using CAT-LIT methodology. We also provide a reference database of the coastal marine habitats of the Algerian coast, named "List of ALGerian MARin HABitats". Natural rocky coastlines are the dominant typological category in the area. The coastline studied is highly diverse in terms of habitats, since 35 benthic habitats were identified. Supralittoral benthic communities are dominated by barnacle Euraphia depressa and the lichen Verrucaria amphibia. Barnacles (Chthamalus spp.) and the red alga Rissoella verruculosa occupy the upper mediolittoral zone, while habitats dominated by the red algae Ellisolandia elongata and Lithophyllum byssoides characterize the lower mediolittoral zone. The upper infralittoral fringe is dominated by Ellisolandia elongata and rockweed Ericaria selaginoides in exposed shores or by Gongolaria barbata in sheltered areas. These habitats represent the core habitats of the littoral zone of Algeria. Anthozoans Astroides calycularis and Actinia equina are common in the infralittoral zone. Ulvales are abundant in Algiers Bay indicating polluted waters.
National School of Marine Science and Coastal Planning (ENSSMAL), Algeria - ORCID: 0000-0002-1088-655X
University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumediene, Algeria
University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumediene, Algeria
Centre d'Estudis Avançats de Blanes, Spain - ORCID: 0000-0003-0903-8657
Centre d'Estudis Avançats de Blanes, Spain - ORCID: 0000-0002-5660-0131
Chapter Title
Mapping of benthic rocky shore habitats of the algerian coast (south-western mediterranean)
Authors
Lamia Bahbah, Bilel Bensari, Khadidja Chabane, Halima Seridi, Simone Mariani, Enric Ballesteros
Language
Italian
DOI
10.36253/979-12-215-0556-6.02
Peer Reviewed
Publication Year
2024
Copyright Information
© 2024 Author(s)
Content License
Metadata License
Book Title
Tenth International Symposium Monitoring of Mediterranean Coastal Areas: Problems and Measurement Techniques
Book Subtitle
Livorno (Italy) 11th-13th June 2024
Editors
Laura Bonora, Marcantonio Catelani, Matteo De Vincenzi, Giorgio Matteucci
Peer Reviewed
Publication Year
2024
Copyright Information
© 2024 Author(s)
Content License
Metadata License
Publisher Name
Firenze University Press
DOI
10.36253/979-12-215-0556-6
eISBN (pdf)
979-12-215-0556-6
eISBN (xml)
979-12-215-0557-3
Series Title
Monitoring of Mediterranean Coastal Areas: Problems and Measurement Techniques
Series E-ISSN
2975-0288