Il macrofitobenthos

Information about the phytobenthos of the brackish lake of Acquatina are here reported for the first time, as a result of the research Project "Biological and ecological characterisation of the brackish lake of Acquatina (Frigole, LE) aiming at the improvement of fishing management in the respect of the environment (CAGEPRA)". From a floristic point of view, 38 taxa of macroalgae, at a specific and an infraspecific level, were identified. Among them, 21 are Rhodophyta (55%), 3 are Ochrophyta (8%), 14 are Chlorophyta (37%). Two seagrasses were collected: Cymodocea nodosa and Ruppia maritima. Following the directions of the European Waterframe Directive (2000/60), by means of indexes which are based on the phytobenthos as a biological quality element, the ecological status of this transitional environment was assessed. It resulted of high quality. The finding of the non-indigenous invasive clorophycean macroalga Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea was particularly interesting, in that it could represent a real threaten for the biodiversity of the lake of Acquatina.