Rhodolith beds (RBs) are bioconstructions characterized by coralline algae, which provide habitat for several associated species. Mediterranean RBs are usually located in the mesophotic zone (below 40 m), and thus are frequently remote and unexplored. Recently, the importance and vulnerability of these habitats have been recognized by the European Community and more attention has been drawn to their investigation and conservation. This study reports the results of an extensive monitoring program, carried out within the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC), in six sites off the Campania coast (Italy, Mediterranean Sea). New insights were given into the distribution, cover, vitality (i.e., live/dead rhodolith ratio), structural complexity, and coralline algae composition of RBs. Remotely operated vehicles (ROV) investigations allowed the description of several RBs, and the discovery of a RB with rhodolith cover >65% offshore the Capri Island. Only two sites (Secchitiello and Punta Campanella) showed a very low mean cover of live rhodoliths (<10%); hence, not being classifiable as RBs. The collected rhodoliths were mostly small pralines (~2 cm), spheroidal to ellipsoidal, with growth-forms ranging from encrusting/warty to fruticose/lumpy. Coralline algae identification revealed a high diversity within each bed, with a total of 13 identified taxa. The genus Lithothamnion dominated all sites, and Phymatolithon calcareum and Lithothamnion corallioides, protected by the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), were detected in all RBs.

中文翻译：

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坎帕尼亚海岸（意大利西南部，地中海）附近的深菱锰矿床的分布和特征。

罗纹石层（RBs）是具有珊瑚藻特征的生物构造，可为几种相关物种提供栖息地。地中海RB通常位于中生带（40 m以下），因此经常处于偏僻且未开发的位置。最近，欧洲共同体已经认识到这些栖息地的重要性和脆弱性，并已对其调查和保护给予了更多关注。这项研究报告了在海洋战略框架指令（2008/56 / EC）中，在坎帕尼亚（Campania）沿海（意大利，地中海）的六个地点进行的广泛监视计划的结果。对RB的分布，覆盖度，生命力（即活/死菱纹石比），结构复杂性和珊瑚藻成分给出了新的见解。遥控车辆（ROV）的调查可以描述多个RB，并发现卡普里岛附近菱形覆盖率> 65％的RB。只有两个站点（Secchitiello和Punta Campanella）的活红景天平均覆盖率很低（<10％）。因此，不能归类为RB。收集的杜鹃石大多是小果仁糖（〜2 cm），呈球形到椭圆形，生长形式从结壳/结实到金黄色/块状。珊瑚藻的鉴定显示出每个床内的高度多样性，总共鉴定出13个类群。属 收集的杜鹃石大多是小果仁糖（〜2 cm），呈球形到椭圆形，生长形式从结壳/结实到金黄色/块状。珊瑚藻的鉴定显示出每个床内的高度多样性，总共鉴定出13个类群。属 收集的杜鹃石大多是小果仁糖（〜2 cm），呈球形到椭圆形，生长形式从结壳/结实到金黄色/块状。珊瑚藻的鉴定显示出每个床内的高度多样性，总共鉴定出13个类群。属Lithothamnion为主的所有站点，以及Phymatolithon calcareum和Lithothamnion corallioides，通过栖息地指令（92/43 / EEC）的保护，在所有RB进行检测。