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| Qualifications | Research | Editorial activity | Lab | Projects | Collaborations | Teaching | External courses | Publications |
Contributing /Associate Editor of the Journals:
· Marine Ecology Progress Series · Estuaries and Coasts · Phycologia · Marine Ecology an Evolutionary Perspective
My research is motivated by the principle that a strong ecological understanding of the processes influencing patterns of distribution, abundance and diversity of species is key to underpin adequate policies of environmental conservation, to preserve biological diversity and to guarantee sustainable development. The emphasis is on the role of quantitative experimental ecology as a method to solve ecological problems over large spatial and temporal scales.
Most of my research focuses on assemblages of algae and invertebrates in intertidal and subtidal habitats of rocky sea shores. I have done most of my work along Mediterranean rocky coasts, but I’m also familiar with intertidal habitats in the north Atlantic, with temperate rocky shores of Australia and with the ecology of more extreme environments, such intertidal and subtidal systems of sub-antartic regions (Strait of Magellan, Chile) and submarine caves. I have also been involved in research projects on the ecological impact of the invasive alga Caulerpa taxifolia and on the ecology of seagrasses (and associated organisms) in the Mediterranean.
My current research activity is structured as follows:
1) Biodiversity of assemblages on rocky shores, including (a) analysis of the distribution, abundance and diversity of species in assemblages at varying spatial and temporal scales in the northwest Mediterranean and Australia, (b) experimental analyses of theories on island biogeography, including comparisons of assemblages on islands and the mainland, and (c) experimental tests of models to explain patterns in abundance of populations and structure of assemblages at different spatial scales on rocky shores, including several experiments on the role of grazing, competition, recruitment, topography of the substratum and the interplay between physical and biological processes in generating spatial and temporal variation in assemblages.
2) Experimental tests of models to predict the effects of climate change on coastal assemblages, including the effects of changing the average intensity and temporal variance of processes such as run-off, disturbance by waves and aerial exposure.
3) Effects of establishing marine protected areas on marine coastal assemblages.
4) Analyses of environmental impacts in coastal assemblages, including: (a) quantification of various measures of stress in populations and assemblages, (b) development of statistical methods for the optimisation of environmental sampling designs, and (c) analyses of patterns of recovery of populations and restoration of assemblages after disturbance.
5) Ecology of assemblages of algae and invertebrates in coastal lagoons.
Between 1989 and 1991 I lectured on the role of competition and grazing in structuring marine algal assemblages at the International course Phytobenthos of the Mediterranean funded by the European Community. This course catered for > 25 postgraduate students. The course also included field excursions and final examinations.
Since 1990 I have assisted Prof. F. Cinelli teaching an undergraduate course in Ecology at the Faculty of Sciences in Pisa. This mainly involved development of the laboratory programme, field excursions, assistance in final examinations and supervision of undergraduates students.
Since 1993 I have also been actively involved in the guidance and counselling of the experimental set-up, sampling programme and statistical analyses of projects of various Ph.D students.
Between 1995 and 1998 I have been Contract Professor at the Faculty of Environmental Sciences at the University of Urbino, teaching a 60 hours course for undergraduates students on the Protection of the Marine Environment. A major component of this course was the design and analysis of sampling programs for the detection of environmental impacts, including ‘beyond BACI’ designs. The course also included computer simulations of environmental impacts and the use of asymmetrical analysis of variance.
In 1997 I have participated as Instructor at the MAST Advanced Study Course ‘Experimental and modelling approaches to investigating the surf and swash zone of rocky shores’, funded by the European Community.
Since October 1999 I teach a 80 hours course in general Ecology at the School of Ecological Sciences and Biodiversity and 40 hours course on Experimental Ecology at the School of Environmental Sciences (University of Pisa).
Bulleri, F., Cristaudo, C., Alestra, T., Benedetti-Cecchi, L. 2011. Crossing gradients of consumer pressure and physical stress on shallow rocky reefs: a test of the stress-gradient hypothesis. Journal of Ecology 99: 335-344.
Di Carlo, G., Benedetti-Cecchi, L., Badalamenti, F. 2011. Response of Posidonia oceanica growth to dredging effects of different magnitude. Marine Ecology Progress Series 423: 39-45.
Pohle, G., Iken, K., Clarke, K.R., Trott, T., Konar, B., Cruz-Motta, J.J., Wong, M., Benedetti-Cecchi, L., et al. 2011. Aspects of Benthic Decapod Diversity and Distribution from Rocky Nearshore Habitat at Geographically Widely Dispersed Sites. PLoS ONE 6(4): e18606. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0018606
Cruz-Motta, J.J., Miloslavich, P., Palomo, G., Iken, K., Konar, B., Pohle, G., Trott, T., Benedetti-Cecchi, L., et al. 2010. Patterns of Spatial Variation of Assemblages Associated with Intertidal Rocky Shores: A Global Perspective. PLoS ONE 5(12): e14354. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0014354
Benedetti-Cecchi, L., Iken, K., Konar, B., Cruz-Motta, J., Knowlton, A, et al. 2010 Spatial relationships between polychaete assemblages and environmental variables over broad geographical scales. PLoS ONE 5(9): e12946. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0012946
Konar, B., Iken, K., Knowlton, A., Cruz, J.J., Benedetti-Cecchi, L., et al. 2010. Current patterns of macroalgal diversity and biomass in northern hemisphere rocky shores. PLoS ONE 5(10): e13195. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0013195doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0013195.g002
Bulleri, F., Balata, D. Bertocci, I., Tamburello, L., Benedetti-Cecchi, L. 2010. The seaweed Caulerpa racemosa on Mediterranean rocky reefs: from passenger to driver of ecological change. Ecology 91: 2205-2212.
Claudet, J., Osenberg, C.W., Domenici, P., Badalamenti, F., Milazzo, M., Falcón J.M., Bertocci, I., Benedetti-Cecchi, L., et al. 2010. Marine reserves: fish life history and ecological traits matter. Ecological Applications 20: 830-339.
Incera, M., Bertocci, I., Benedetti-Cecchi, L. 2010. Effects of mean intensity and temporal variability of disturbance on the invasion of Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea (Caulerpales) in rock pools. Biologial Invasions 12: 501-514.
Bertocci, I., Maggi, E., Vaselli, S., Benedetti-Cecchi, L. 2010. Resistance of rocky shore assemblages of algae and invertebrates to changes in intensity and temporal variability of aerial exposure. Mar Ecol. Prog. Ser. 400: 75-86.
Vandepitte, L., Vanhoorne, B., Kraberg, A., Anisimova, N., Antoniadou, C., Arau´ jo, R., Bartsch, I., Beker, B., Benedetti-Cecchi, L., et al. 2010. Data integration for European marine biodiversity research: creating a database on benthos and plankton to study large-scale patterns and long-term changes. Hydrobiologia 644: 1-13.
Cattaneo-Vietti, R., Albertelli, G., Aliani, S., Bava, S., Bavestrello, G., Benedetti-Cecchi, L., et al. 2010. The ligurian Sea: present status, problems and perspectives. Chemistry and Ecology 26: 319-340. Nicastro, A., Bishop, M., Kelhaer, B.P., Benedetti-Cecchi, L. 2009. Export of non-native gastropod shells to a coastal lagoon: Alteration of habitat structure has negligible effects on infauna. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 374:31-36.
Maggi, E., Bertocci, I., Vaselli, S., Benedetti-Cecchi, L. 2009. Effects of changes in number, identity and abundance of habitat-forming species on assemblages of rocky shores. Marine Ecology Progress Series 381:39-49.
Burrows, M., Harvey, R., Robb, L., Poloczanska E., Mieszkowska N., Moore, P., Leaper, R., Hawkins S. J., Benedetti-Cecchi, L. 2009. Spatial scales of variance in distributions of intertidal species on complex coastlines: effects of region, dispersal mode and trophic level. Ecology 5:1242-1254.
Bulleri, F., Tamburello, L., Benedettti-Cecchi, L. 2009. Loss of consumers alters the effects of resident assemblages on the local spread of an introduced macralga. Oikos 118:269-279.
García-Charlton, J., Pérez-Ruzafa, A., Marcos, C., Claudet, J., Badalamenti, F., Benedetti-Cecchi, L., et al. 2008. Effectiveness of European Atlanto-Mediterranean MPAs: Do they accomplish the expected effects on populations, communities and ecosystems? Journal for Nature Conservation 6:193-221.
Vaselli, S., Bertocci, I, Maggi, E., Benedetti-Cecchi, L. 2008. Assessing the consequences of sea level rise: effects of changes in the slope of the substratum on sessile assemblages of rocky seashores. Marine Ecology Progress Series 368:9-22.
Vaselli S., Bulleri, F., Benedetti-Cecchi, L. 2008. Hard coastal-defence structures as habitats for native and exotic rocky-bottom species. Marine Environmental Research 66:395-403.
Benedetti-Cecchi, L., Bertocci, I., Vaselli, S., Maggi, E., Bulleri F. 2008. Neutrality and the response of rare species to environmental variance. PLoS ONE 3(7): e2777. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0002777
Bulleri, F., Bruno, J., Benedetti-Cecchi, L. 2008. Beyond Competition: incorporating positive interactions between species to predict ecosystem invasibility. PLoS Biology 6(6): e162 doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.0060162
Bulleri, F., Underwood, A. J., Benedetti-Cecchi, L. 2008. The analysis of ecological impacts in human-dominated environments: Reply to Stewart-Oaten. Environmental Conservation 35: 11-13.
Bulleri, F., Benedetti-Cecchi, L. 2008. Facilitation of the introduced green alga, Caulerpa racemosa, by resident algal turfs: experimental evaluation of underlying mechanisms. Marine Ecology Progress Series 364:77-86.
Vaselli, S., Bertocci, I., Maggi, E., Benedetti-Cecchi, L. 2008. Effects of mean intensity and temporal variance of sediment scouring events on assemblages of rocky shores. Marine Ecology Progress Series 364: 57-66.
Claudet, J., Osenberg, C. W., Benedetti-Cecchi, L., Domenici, P., García-Charlton, J., et al. 2008. Marine reserves: size and age do matter. Ecology Letters 11: 481-489.
Pelletier, D., Benedetti-Cecchi, L., Garcìa-Charton J. A., Ferraris, J., Claudet, J. 2008. Models and indicators for assessing conservation and fisheries-related effects of Marine Protected Areas. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 65: 765-779.
Bulleri, F., Underwood, A. J., Benedetti-Cecchi, L. 2007. The assessment and interpretation of ecological impacts in human-dominated environments. Environmental Conservation 34: 181-182.
Balata, D., Piazzi, L., Benedetti-Cecchi, L. 2007. Sediment disturbance and loss of beta diversity on subtidal rocky reefs. Ecology 88: 2245-2261.
Benedetti-Cecchi, L. 2007. Neutral theory and 1/f noise make similar predictions of assemblage dynamics. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 22: 231.
Bertocci, I., Vaselli, S., Maggi, E., Benedetti-Cecchi, L. 2007. Changes in temporal variance of rocky shore organisms in response to the manipulation of mean intensity and temporal variability of aerial exposure. Marine Ecology Progress Series 338: 11-20.
Benedetti-Cecchi., L., Osio, G. C. 2007. Replication and mitigation of effects of confounding variables in environmental impact assessment: an example with marinas and assemblages of rocky seashores. Marine Ecology Progress Series 334: 21-35.
Terlizzi, A., Anderson, M. J., Fraschetti, S., Benedetti-Cecchi, L. 2007. Scales of spatial variation in Mediterranean subtidal marine assemblages at different depths. Marine Ecology Progress Series 332: 25-39.
Benedetti-Cecchi, L., Bertocci, I., Vaselli, S., Maggi, E. 2006. Temporal variance reverses the ecological impact of high mean intensity of stress in climate change experiments. Ecology 87: 2489-2499.
Benedetti-Cecchi, L. 2006. Understanding the consequences of changing biodiversity on rocky shores: how much have we learned from past experiments? Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 338: 193-204.
Bulleri, F., Benedetti-Cecchi, L. 2006. Mechanisms of recovery and resilience of different components of mosaics of habitats on shallow rocky reefs. Oecologia 149:482-492.
Benedetti-Cecchi, L., Bertocci, I., Vaselli, S., Maggi, E. 2006. Morphological plasticity and variable spatial patterns in different populations of the red alga Rissoella verruculosa. Marine Ecology Progress Series 315: 87-98.
Coleman , A. R., Underwood, A. J., Benedetti-Cecchi, L., Ǻberg, P., Arenas, F., Arrontes, J., Castro, J., Hartnoll, R. G., Jenkins, S. J., Paula, J., Della Santina, P., Hawkins, S. J. 2006. A continental scale evaluation of the role of limpet grazing on rocky shores. Oecologia 147: 556-564.
Pardi, G., Piazzi, L., Balata, D., Papi, I., Cinelli, F., Benedetti-Cecchi, L. 2006. Spatial variability of Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile epiphytes around the mainalnd and the islands of Sicily (Mediterranean Sea). Marine Ecology an Evolutionary Perspective 27: 397-403.
Benedetti-Cecchi, L. 2005. Unanticipated impacts of spatial variance of biodiversity on plant productivity. Ecology Letters, 8: 791-799.
Benedetti-Cecchi, L., Bertocci, I., Vaselli, S., Maggi, E. 2005. Determinants of spatial pattern at different scales in two populations of the marine alga, Rissoella verruculosa (Bertoloni) J. Agardh. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 293: 37-47.
Fraschetti, S., Terlizzi, A., Benedetti-Cecchi, L. 2005. Patterns of distribution of marine assemblages from rocky shores: evidence of relevant scales of variation. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 296: 13-29.
Bertocci, I., Maggi, E., Vaselli, S., Benedetti-Cecchi, L. 2005. Contrasting effects of mean intensity and temporal variation of disturbance on assemblages of rocky seashores. Ecology, 86: 2061-2067.
Benedetti-Cecchi, L., Vaselli, S., Maggi, E., Bertocci, I. 2005. Interactive effects of spatial variance and mean intensity of grazing on algal cover in rock pools. Ecology, 86: 2212-2222.
Terlizzi, A., Benedetti-Cecchi, L., Beviliacqua S., Fraschetti, S., Guidetti, P., Anderson M. J. 2005. Multivariate and univariate asymmetrical analyses in environmental impact assessment: a case study of Mediterranean subtidal sessile assemblages. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 289: 27-42.
Micheli, F., Benedetti-Cecchi, L., Gambaccini, S., Bertocci, I., Borsini, C., Chato Osio, G. and Romano, F. 2005. Cascading human impacts, marine protected areas, and the structure of Mediterranean rocky-reef assemblages. Ecological Monographs, 75: 81-102.
Benedetti-Cecchi, L. 2005. The importance of the variance around the mean effect size of ecological processes: reply. Ecology, 86: 265-268.
Benedetti-Cecchi, L. 2004. Increasing accuracy of causal inference in experimental analyses of biodiversity. Functional Ecology, 18: 761-768.
Balestri, E., Benedetti-Cecchi, L., Lardicci, C. 2004. Patterns of growth and morphology of P. oceanica exposed to urban and industrial wastes: controsts with two reference locations. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 308: 1-21.
Piazzi, L., Balata, D, Benedettti-Cecchi, L. 2004. Patterns of spatial variability in epiphytes of Posidonia oceanica: differences between a disturbed and two reference locations. Aquatic Botany, 79: 345-356.
Benedetti-Cecchi, L. 2003. The importance of the variance around the mean effect size of ecological processes. Ecology, Vol. 84, pp. 2335-2346.
Benedetti-Cecchi, L., Maggi, E., Bertocci, I., Vaselli, E., Micheli, F., Osio, G. C., Cinelli, F. 2003. Variation in rocky shore assemblages in the north-western Mediterranean: contrasts between islands and the mainland. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, Vol. 293, pp. 193-215.
Benedetti-Cecchi, L., Bertocci, I., Micheli, F., Maggi, E., Fosella, T., Vaselli, S. 2003. Implications of spatial heterogeneity for management of marine protected areas (MPAs): examples from assemblages of rocky coasts in the northwest Mediterranean. Marine Environmental Research, Vol. 55, pp. 429-458.
De Biasi, A. Benedetti-Cecchi, L., Pacciardi, L., Maggi, E., Vaselli, S., Bertocci, I. 2003. Spatial Heterogeneity in the distribution of plants and benthic invertebrates in the lagoon of Orbetello (Italy). Oceanologica Acta, Vol. 26, pp. 39-46.
Benedetti-Cecchi, L. 2003. Plant succession in littoral habitats: observations, explanations and empirical evidence. In: Modern Trends in Applied Aquatic Plant Ecology. R. S. Ambasht and N. K. Ambasht (eds): Kluwer Academic Publisher, pp. 97-131.
Fraschetti, S., Terlizzi, A., Micheli, F., Benedetti-Cecchi, L., Boero, F. 2002. Marine protected areas in the Mediterranean Sea: objectives, effectiveness and monitoring. P.S.Z.N: Marine Ecology, Vol 23, pp. 190-200.
Bulleri, F., Benedetti-Cecchi, L., Acunto, S., Cinelli F., Hawkins, S. J. 2002. The influence of canopy algae on vertical patterns of distribution of low-shore assemblages on rocky coasts in the northwest Mediterranean. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, Vol 267, pp. 89-106.
Benedetti-Cecchi, L. 2001. Beyond BACI: optimization of environmental sampling designs through monitoring and simulation. Ecological Applications, Vol. 11, pp. 783-799.
Benedetti-Cecchi, L. 2001. Variability in abundance of algae and invertebrates at different spatial scales on rocky sea shores. Marine Ecology Progress Series, Vol. 215, pp. 79-92.
Benedetti-Cecchi, L., Bulleri, F., Acunto, S., Cinelli, F. 2001. Scales of variation in the effects of limpets on rocky shores in the northwest Mediterranean. Marine Ecology Progress Series, Vol. 209, pp. 131-141.
Benedetti-Cecchi, L., Pannacciulli, F., Bulleri, F., Moschella P. S., Airoldi, L., Relini, G., Cinelli, F. 2001. Predicting the consequences of anthropogenic disturbance: large-scale effects of loss of canopy algae on rocky shores. Marine Ecology Progress Series, Vol. 214, pp. 137-150.
Benedetti-Cecchi, L., Rindi, F., Bertocci, I., Bulleri, F., Cinelli, F. 2001. Spatial variation in development of epibenthic assemblages in a coastal lagoon. Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science, Vol. 52, pp. 659-668.
Benedetti-Cecchi, L., Acunto, S., Bulleri, F., Cinelli, F. 2000. Population ecology of the barnacle, Chthamalus stellatus (Poli), in the northwest Mediterranean. Marine Ecology Progress Series, Vol. 198, pp. 157-170.
Benedetti-Cecchi, L. 2000. Predicting direct and indirect interactions during succession in a midlittoral rocky shore assemblage. Ecological Monographs. Vol. 70, pp. 45-72.
Benedetti-Cecchi, L. 2000. Priority effects, taxonomic resolution, and the prediction of variable patterns of succession in littoral rock pools. Oecologia, Vol. 123, pp. 265-274.
Benedetti-Cecchi, L., Bulleri, F., Cinelli, F. 2000. The interplay of physical and biological factors in maintaining midshore and low-shore assemblages on rocky coasts in the northwest mediterranean. Oecologia, Vol. 123, pp. 406-417.
Benedetti-Cecchi, L. 2000. Variance in ecological consumer-resource interactions. Nature, Vol. 407, pp. 370-374.
Bulleri, F., Menconi, M., Cinelli, F., Benedetti-Cecchi, L. 2000. Grazing by two species of limpets on artificial reefs in the northwest Mediterranean. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol., Vol. 255, pp. 1-19.
Benedetti-Cecchi, L., Menconi, M., Cinelli, F. 1999. Pre-emption of the substratum and the maintenance of spatial pattern on a rocky shore in the northwest Mediterranean. Marine Ecology Progress Series. Vol. 181, pp. 13-23.
Bulleri, F., Benedetti-Cecchi, L., Cinelli, F. 1999. Grazing by the sea urchins Arbacia lixula L. and Paracentrotus lividus Lam. In the northwest Mediterranean. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. Vol. 241, pp. 81-95.
Menconi, M., Benedetti-Cecchi, L., Cinelli, F. 1999. Spatial and temporal variability in the distribution of algae and invertebrates on rocky shores in the northwest Mediterranean. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, Vol. 233, pp. 1-23.
Benedetti-Cecchi, L., L. Airoldi, M. Abbiati, F. Cinelli. 1998. Spatial variability in the distribution of sponges and cnidarians in a sublittoral marine cave with sulphur-water springs. Journal of Marine Biological Association, U.K., Vol. 78, pp. 43-58.
Benedetti-Cecchi, L., F. Bulleri, F. Cinelli. 1998. Density dependent foraging in two species of sea urchins in shallow subtidal reefs on the west coast of Italy (western Mediterranean). Marine Ecology Progress Series, Vol. 163, pp. 203-211.
Benedetti-Cecchi, L., F. Cinelli. 1997. Confounding in field experiments: direct and indirect effects of artifacts due to the manipulation of limpets and macroalgae. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, Vol. 209, pp. 171-184.
Benedetti-Cecchi, L., F. Cinelli. 1997 Spatial distribution of algae and invertebrates in the rocky intertidal zone of the Strait of Magellan: are patterns general? Polar Biology, Vol. 18, pp. 337-343.
Benedetti-Cecchi L., F. Cinelli. 1996. Patterns of disturbance and recovery in littoral rock pools: nonhierarchical competition and spatial variability in secondary succession. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 135: 145-161.
Benedetti-Cecchi L., L. Airoldi, M. Abbiati, F. Cinelli. 1996. Estimating the abundance of benthic invertebrates: a comparison of procedures and variability between observers. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 138: 93-101.
Benedetti-Cecchi, L., L. Airoldi, M. Abbiati, F. Cinelli. 1996. Exploring the causes of spatial variation in an assemblage of benthic invertebrates from a submarine cave with sulphur springs. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 208: 153-168.
Benedetti-Cecchi, L., S. Nuti, F. Cinelli. 1996. Analysis of spatial and temporal variability in interactions among algae, limpets and mussels, in low shore habitats on the west coast of Italy. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 144: 87-96.
Benedetti-Cecchi L., F. Cinelli. 1995. Habitat heterogeneity, sea urchin grazing and the distribution of algae in littoral rock pools on the west coast of Italy (western Mediterranean). Marine Ecology Progress Series, 126: 203-212.
Benedetti-Cecchi L., F. Cinelli. 1994. Recovery of patches in an assemblage of geniculate coralline algae: variability at different successional stages. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 110: 9-18.
Benedetti-Cecchi L., F. Cinelli. 1993. Early patterns of algal succession in a midlittoral community of the Mediterranean Sea: a multifactorial experiment. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 169: 15-31.
Benedetti-Cecchi L., F. Cinelli. 1993. Seasonality and reproductive phenology of algae inhabiting littoral pools in the Western Mediterranean. P.S.Z.N.I: Marine Ecology, 14: 147-157.
Benedetti-Cecchi L., F. Cinelli. 1992. Effects of canopy cover, herbivores and substratum type on patterns of Cystoseira spp. settlement and recruitment in littoral rockpools. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 90: 183-191.
Benedetti-Cecchi L., F. Cinelli. 1992. Canopy removal experiments in Cystoseira dominated rockpools from the Western coast of the Mediterranean (Ligurian Sea). Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 155: 69-83.
| Qualifications | Research | Editorial activity | Lab | Projects | Collaborations | Teaching | External courses | Publications |
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Editorial activity |