Coralligenous reefs are typical underwater seascapes of the Mediterranean Sea and are ranked among the most relevant ecosystems of the basin and a pole of biodiversity. For their critical importance for ecosystems conservation, coralligenous reefs are included among the indicators that should be assessed under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). However, information regarding their spatial distribution and the influence of environmental factors on their structure and biological characteristics is still poor. As part of monitoring regional programs for the implementation of the MSFD in Italy, an extensive study was performed along the Latium continental shelf, aimed to define and map the distribution of coralligenous reefs and to assess their environmental status in three different study areas, characterized by different environmental conditions and subjected to different potential levels of human pressure. For each area, a large dataset was collected, including multibeam bathymetry, side scan sonar records and ROV video transects. The integrated analysis of geophysical data and ROV videos allowed to identify the morpho-acoustic facies indicative of coralligenous outcrops and to map their distribution across the study areas. In parallel, a quantitative analysis of video transects was carried out, in order to characterize the megabenthic communities in terms of species composition, abundance, health status of structural species, and to evaluate the abundance of marine litter. The environmental status of the coralligenous communities was then assessed through the application of the Mesophotic Assemblages Conservation Status (MACS) index.

The results obtained showed a large variability in the distribution and characteristics of coralligenous reefs and associated assemblages along the Latium continental shelf, likely reflecting the different environmental conditions and human pressure in the different areas. Coralligenous reefs were reported from all the investigated areas, hosting a rich and varied associated fauna with dense gorgonian forests, also featuring species of relevance for conservation such as Corallium rubrum. The application of MACS index allowed to distinguish among a wide range of ecological conditions of the coralligenous communities, spanning from high to poor environmental status across different sites. The assessment of the extent and diversity of coralligenous assemblages through the combination of geomorphological analysis, acoustic mapping and quantitative video analysis represents an efficient tool, which may help governments and stakeholders making informed management decisions for future coastal planning and conservation strategies.

珊瑚礁是地中海典型的水下海景，被列为该盆地最相关的生态系统和生物多样性的一极。由于其对生态系统保护的至关重要性，珊瑚礁被列入应根据海洋战略框架指令 (MSFD) 进行评估的指标。然而，关于它们的空间分布和环境因素对其结构和生物学特性的影响的信息仍然很少。作为在意大利实施 MSFD 的监测区域计划的一部分，在拉丁美洲大陆架进行了一项广泛的研究，旨在定义和绘制珊瑚礁的分布图，并评估它们在三个不同研究区域的环境状况，具有不同的环境条件和承受不同潜在水平的人类压力。对于每个区域，都收集了一个大型数据集，包括多波束测深、侧扫声纳记录和 ROV 视频断面。地球物理数据和 ROV 视频的综合分析允许识别指示珊瑚露头的形态声相，并绘制它们在整个研究区域的分布图。同时，对视频横断面进行了定量分析，以便在物种组成、丰度、结构物种的健康状况方面表征巨型底栖动物群落，并评估海洋垃圾的丰度。然后通过应用中光组合保护状态 (MACS) 指数评估珊瑚群落的环境状况。

获得的结果表明，沿拉提姆大陆架的珊瑚礁及其相关组合的分布和特征存在很大差异，这可能反映了不同地区的不同环境条件和人类压力。所有调查区域都报告了珊瑚礁，拥有丰富多样的相关动物群和茂密的柳杉林，还包括与保护相关的物种，如红珊瑚. MACS 指数的应用可以区分珊瑚群落的各种生态条件，从不同地点的环境状况从高到差。通过结合地貌分析、声学绘图和定量视频分析来评估珊瑚群落的范围和多样性是一种有效的工具，可以帮助政府和利益相关者为未来的沿海规划和保护战略做出明智的管理决策。