One of the richest and most spectacular landscapes in the Mediterranean
In the rocky and poorly lit zones of the Mediterranean, the coralligenous community develops, formed mainly by calcareous algae that grow on contiguous horizontal planes to make the most of the scarce available light.
This ecosystem creates true biogenic reefs, slowly built up by the accumulation of calcified organisms.
Competition and adaptation
The decrease in light is one of the key factors for the development of these calcareous algae, as it promotes their growth when other algae that require more light — and that could displace them — disappear.
In this way, the coralligenous zone consolidates as a community adapted to conditions of low luminosity and great stability.
A refuge for filter-feeding invertebrates
Alongside the calcareous algae, numerous suspension-feeding invertebrate organisms develop, feeding on particles suspended in the water, such as: sponges, ascidians, bryozoans and sea fans.
These organisms add a great variety of colours to the coralligenous landscape, with red, yellowish, pink and orange hues, creating one of the most visually striking seabeds in the Mediterranean.
Construction of natural reefs
The calcification process provides these algae with the resistance needed to avoid being easily consumed by certain herbivores. Although their growth is slow, these algae compete with one another for the maximum amount of light.
This competition drives growth in horizontal planes, with overlapping and layering of one upon another, giving rise to complex structures that form true Mediterranean reefs.
