The Mediterranean Dune–Beach–Banquette Ecosystem, Its Pivotal Role in Land–Sea Coupling and the Functioning of Coastal Systems, and Some Related Management Issues

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(10), P. 4556 - 4556

Published: May 16, 2025

In the Mediterranean, dune–beach ecosystem is characterized by presence of thick deposits dead leaves endemic seagrass Posidonia oceanica, called banquettes (Dune–Beach–Banquette ecosystem—DBB). This plays an important role in coupling between sea and land. The provide services: protection beaches against erosion, contribution to building dune, a source nitrogen for coastal vegetation. They are home rich diverse invertebrate fauna that consumed other predatory invertebrates seabirds. A conceptual model functioning DBB its relation with adjacent ecosystems has been outlined. When P. oceanica return sea, which fate most banquette, they constitute carbon nutrients fisheries. Beach management, removal driftwood meet supposed requirements beach users tourists, ecological disaster, addition being economic burden municipalities. management methods respect interactions marine terrestrial realms, preserve from erosion allow take into account real perceptions feasible framework concept ‘ecological beach’.

Language: Английский

Metal Bioaccumulation and Biochemical Responses in Loggerhead Turtles (Caretta caretta) from the Gulf of Gabès (Tunisia)

Environments, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11(10), P. 214 - 214

Published: Sept. 30, 2024

Caretta caretta (Cheloniidae, Cryptodira) is a species of turtle considered ‘flagship species’ in the Mediterranean Sea. Unfortunately, circular marine currents and semi-enclosed configuration Sea encourage accumulation pollutants (metals, pesticides, etc.) emitted by human activities. Tunisia suffers particularly from coastal urbanisation industrial development. Metal concentrations (Ag, Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) were measured distinct tissues (heart, kidney, liver, lung, muscle) loggerhead turtles stranded Gulf Gabès (Tunisia) to estimate pollution levels this emblematic species. High arsenic cadmium found turtles. Therefore, differential metals was tissues. For example, liver appears be preferential organ for copper, iron, silver zinc. In contrast, cobalt more concentrated kidneys, while arsenic, chromium nickel mainly muscles. Antioxidant enzyme responses (catalase, GPx SOD) lipid peroxidation expressed kidneys than

Language: Английский