Popolamenti microalgali in habitat a barene e loro contributo alla dieta del necton

Microalgae small-scale distribution was investigated to quantify their trophic role in the complexity of saltmarsh habitats. Sampling surveys were carried out in 2019 in the Venice lagoon (Italy), in three areas, inside the saltmarsh creek (ghebo) and outside. The nekton community was estimated by seine net and water and surface sediment samples were collected to determine microalgae taxonomic composition and biomass. Mean phythoplankton biomass increased from the more to the less confined areas and it was more abundant during summer and outside the ghebo. Microphytobenthos biomass, on the contrary, did non follow the confinement gradient and was more abudant in spring and inside the ghebo. Fish biomass had more density outside the ghebo. However, the juvenile belonging to the genus Chelon (30% of the nekton community biomass) was found to be more abundant inside the ghebo than outside and their stomachs contained numerous diatoms.