engleski

Structure and dynamic of biofouling communities within aquaculture area of Lim bay - northern Adriatic Sea

Submerged artificial structures are rapidly colonized by competitive biofouling species in response to a combination of environmental factors. Occurrence of biofouling phenomena in aquatic environment has serious implications on growth and survival of cultivated shellfish and fish. Data regarding biofouling communities in the eastern Adriatic coastal zones has been largely outdated. Thus, the specific objectives of the present study were to establish horizontal and vertical pattern of biofouling communities over time and to detect dominant biofouling species within area of extensive shellfish aquaculture and natural shellfish spawning ground of Lim Bay in the northern Adriatic Sea. The present investigation provided the baseline data on the species composition and abundance within shellfish growing location of Lim Bay. The most dominant species correspond to those previously observed in the Eastern Adriatic Sea. Variable horizontal and vertical distribution of biofouling organisms for most dominant species clearly reflects the complexity of ecological processes even within small geographical distance. Accordingly, avoidance of a particular location and time has been recommended for improvement of aquaculture production.

biofouling; shellfish; aquaculture; Adriatic Sea

nije evidentirano