Changes of the benthic algal flora of the Tremiti Islands (southern Adriatic) Italy

During the last two decades, the benthic algal flora of the northern Adriatic Sea has changed as a result of increased pollution by sewage, agricultural drainage and industrial discharges. In order to verify if pollution has also influenced the benthic algal flora of the southern Adriatic, a study was undertaken of the Tremiti Islands and the results compared with previously published floristic data of the area. The results indicate changes in the benthic flora. Although the total number of species had increased slightly (301 species compared with 265 from the literature), the floristic composition was quite different, with 109 species not now found and 145 species new to the area. Since several sensitive species, like Cystoseira spp. and Sargassum spp., had disappeared and a greater number of opportunistic species was recorded, it can be concluded that the southern Adriatic is nowadays also influenced by pollution impact.