Journal Article
Multimodal Underwater Sensing of Octocoral Populations and Anthropogenic Impacts in a Conservation-Priority Area (NE Aegean Sea, Greece)
Maria Sini; Jennifer C. A. Pistevos; Angeliki Bosmali; Artemis Manoliou; Athanasios Nikolaou; Giulia Pitarra; Ivan T. Petsimeris; Olympos Andreadis; Thomas Hasiotis; Antonios D. Mazaris; Stelios Katsanevakis
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering · Vol. 13, Issue 12 · pp. 2237 · 2025
Abstract
Coralligenous assemblages are among the most diverse habitats of the Mediterranean Sea, yet those of the north-eastern basin remain understudied despite their vulnerability to human impacts and climate change. We applied a multimodal underwater sensing approach to map coralligenous formations, assess gorgonian populations and evaluate the effects of marine litter in a conservation-priority area (NE Aegean Sea, Greece). Side-scan sonar enabled seafloor mapping and guided targeted Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) surveys. ROV-based distance sampling and imagery provided quantitative data on Eunicella cavolini and Paramuricea clavata, including density, size structure, and injuries, alongside systematic documentation of marine litter. Gorgonians formed monospecific ecological facies, segregated by location—P. clavata occurred deeper than E. cavolini. Densities were low (E. cavolini: 0.35 colonies m−2, P. clavata: 1.46 colonies m−2) and small colonies (