Regionalisation of the Mediterranean basin, a MERMEX synthesis. (April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ayata, Sakina-Dorothée; Irisson, Jean-Olivier; Aubert, Anaïs; Berline, Léo; Dutay, Jean-Claude; Mayot, Nicolas; Nieblas, Anne-Elise; D'Ortenzio, Fabrizio; Palmiéri, Julien; Reygondeau, Gabriel; Rossi, Vincent; Guieu, Cécile
• Is Part Of: Progress in oceanography. Volume 163(2018)
• Page Start: 7
• Page End: 20
• Publication Date: 2018-04
• Subjects: Mediterranean Sea -- Regionalisation -- Biogeochemistry -- Circulation -- Mesoscale features -- Epipelagic ocean -- Management -- Spatial planning; Oceanography -- Periodicals; 551.4605
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pocean.2017.09.016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0079-6611

Abstract

Highlights: Synthesis of nine previous regionalisations of the epipelagic Mediterranean Sea. Nine congruent frontiers, related to circulation and bathymetry. Eleven congruent homogeneous regions, related to large scale circulation. Four heterogeneous regions, associated with dynamical mesoscale circulation. A key step for future spatial planning in scientific studies and marine management. Abstract: Regionalisation aims at delimiting provinces within which physical conditions, chemical properties, and biological communities are reasonably homogeneous. This article proposes a synthesis of the many recent regionalisations of the open-sea regions of the Mediterranean Sea. The nine studies considered here defined regions based on different, and sometimes complementary, criteria: dynamics of surface chlorophyll concentration, ocean currents, three-dimensional hydrological and biogeochemical properties, or the distribution of organisms. Although they identified different numbers and patterns of homogeneous regions, their compilation in the epipelagic zone identifies nine consensus frontiers, eleven consensus regions with relatively homogeneous conditions, and four heterogeneous regions with highly dynamical conditions. The consensus frontiers and regions are in agreement with well-known hydrodynamical features of the Mediterranean Sea, which constrain the distribution of hydrological and ecological variables. The heterogeneous regions are rather defined by intense mesoscale activity. The synthesis proposed here could constitute a reference step for management actions and spatial planning, such as the application of the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive, and for future biogeochemical and ecological studies in the Mediterranean Sea.