Ecological analyses are aimed at characterising the complexity of the structure of natural objects, yet their heterogeneity is hardly described by the Euclidean concepts. For such a purpose, fractal geometry is best suited due to its ability to describe, with mathematical rigor, the inherent irregularity of nature. Indeed, fractal dimension provides a measurement of the complexity of the object being analysed in terms of space occupation. In this study, we applied the fractal geometry to Posidonia oceanica in order to characterise the structural complexity of its meadows, which are widely recognised as one of the most important coastal ecosystems in the Mediterranean basin. To achieve our aim, we developed an ad hoc implementation of the Box-Counting algorithm based on the Moore neighbourhood analysis. Our approach allowed us to render the structural complexity of P. oceanica meadows spatially explicit, thus expressing an intrinsic ecological property. The fractal analysis suggested that the complexity of the meadow's structure is intimately connected with the ecological conditions of P. oceanica. In fact, meadows in living and mixed conditions showed a higher fractal dimension, suggesting a largely uniform and smooth structure. While the fractal dimension associated to the regressed ecological condition of P. oceanica meadows exhibited lower values, highlighting a more jagged and rough structure. Therefore, the fractal theory may prove useful to both fundamental and applied ecological research focusing on P. oceanica and its interactions with Mediterranean coastal ecosystems. In fact, the fractal analysis we performed could result in an effective and straightforward approach for assessing the condition of P. oceanica on a large spatial scale, enhancing an integrated maritime spatial planning over the whole Mediterranean basin.
Questions this practice may help answer:
- How can fractal geometry support the characterisation of the complexity and ecological conditions when monitoring the Posidonia oceanica meadows?
Implementation Context:
Posidonia oceanica meadows are at risk in the Western Mediterranean Sea. Monitoring their condition is crucial for environmental management as these environmental features are essential for the global health of the Mediterranean Sea.
Aspects / Objectives:
This study aims to estimate the fractal dimension of P. oceanica around Corsica Island (France) through the assessment of P. oceanica meadow’s complex structure. This complexity is then analysed versus the ecological condition of P. oceanica meadows to establish the relationship between its health and its fractal complexity level.
Method:
This study based its methodology on the information on P. oceanica meadows available from the Mediterranean Sensitive Habitats (MEDISEH) project. The geographical features of P. oceanica meadows and its environmental conditions and health were statistically analysed.
Main Outputs / Results:
A higher fractal complexity of P. oceanica meadows reveals a good ecological status while a lower fractal complexity of P. oceanica meadows indicates degraded ecological conditions. Therefore, this method can be used in both fundamental and applied ecological research and can even lead to the development of geographical environmental management tools which can be applied to one of the most important Mediterranean marine ecosystems.
Transferability:
The results highlight a new method to monitor important marine environmental features and hence can be used in further actions such as environmental management. The method developed could possibly be applied to other environmental features in other basins such as for Zostera marina meadows in the Atlantic, as an example.
Responsible Entity:
Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133, Rome, Italy. University of Rome, Italy
Costs / Funding Source:
Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133, Rome, Italy. University of Rome, Italy
Contact person:
Elena Catucci - catucci.elena
gmail.com (catucci[dot]elena[at]gmail[dot]com)
Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133, Rome, Italy. University of Rome, Italy