| The sessile hard bottoms zoobenthos community was studied in three northern Adriatic lagoons (Venice, Caorle and Grado-Marano). On the basis of previous researches (1993-1994 in Venice; 1997 in Grado-Marano), these lagoons had been subdivided into ecological sectors. The time consistency of such a subdivision has been assessed. The largest number of species was found in the lagoon of Venice, showing a high heterogeneity of environments and an intense shipping traffic, coupled with aquaculture activities that favoured the arrival of exotic species. A very poor community of obligate oligohaline species was found in Caorle. The natural and stable environment of Grado-Marano lagoon, with its large area of freshwater influence, hosted an intermediate number of... |
