Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
ESTUARIES AND COASTS, cilt.49, sa.3, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Coralligenous habitats, Mediterranean reefs formed by calcareous algae and other benthic organisms, are recognized biodiversity hotspots. Despite their ecological value, northeastern Mediterranean coralligenous assemblages remain comparatively understudied in terms of ecological quality, while local human pressures are increasing. This study (i) describes the structure and species composition of coralligenous assemblages in a marine park (Aegean Sea) using non-destructive photographic surveys at depths of 30-42 m, and (ii) tests whether ecological quality indices developed for western Mediterranean reefs can effectively assess habitat condition in this region. We identified 82 taxa, with sponges and algae as the most abundant groups. Community composition varied with both dominant taxa and local anthropogenic pressure. Gorgonian-dominated sites exhibited higher diversity and evenness, while non-gorgonian sites showed signs of ecological degradation, including high sedimentation, algal turf dominance, and reduced structural complexity. These patterns occurred despite the park's protected status, highlighting ineffective enforcement and functional management, features of a "paper park." Among the tested indices, the Coralligenous Bioconstruction Quality Index (CBQI) and the Ecological Quality Ratio based on Sensitivity Levels (EQR(SL)) showed the strongest correlations with anthropogenic pressure, whereas the Ecological Status of Coralligenous Assemblages (ESCA) index, the COralligenous Assessment by ReefScape Estimate (COARSE) and Shannon diversity exhibited weak and non-significant relationships. Lower performance of some indices in this study, particularly COARSE, appears linked to methodological mismatches and the structural traits of eastern Mediterranean assemblages where erect bryozoans and anthozoans typically occur at very low cover. To our knowledge, these results provide the first quantitative evidence that ecological quality indices calibrated for western Mediterranean coralligenous habitats differ markedly in performance when applied to eastern Mediterranean systems highlighting the need to prioritize sensitivity-based and structure-integrating metrics and to adapt existing frameworks to regional ecological conditions.