Presence of Biogenic Reef at Sabellaria Spinulosa (Leuckart, 1849) Detected in the North-Est Adriatic Sea (Ravenna Coastal Area, Italy): Preliminary Studies for their Geoconservation and Protection

Coastal zone management necessitates a comprehensive and shared interdisciplinary understanding of the various processes involved in the anthropogenically accelerated rapid spatiotemporal evolution, including the climatic perspective, that defines the littoral system. This study aims to present an initial assessment of the atypical occurrence and distribution of biogenic reefs belonging to the Sabellariidae family on the sandy coastal beds of the northern Adriatic Sea. Although sporadic mentions of their potential presence have been made, their specific locations and distribution have never been accurately identified and mapped. These fragile biogenic reefs have the potential to serve a functional role in coastal ecosystems, as recognized by the conservation strategies of the Mediterranean and the objectives of the EU Habitats Directive. In addition to describing the primary physiographic, physical-dynamic, and environmental characteristics of the study area, this article outlines the key findings from preliminary geomorphological-sedimentological investigations and compares them with similar Sabellaria structures studied in diverse environmental conditions along the Italian coasts. The research conducted thus far, utilizing side-scan sonar and direct observations by scuba divers, has confirmed their coherence and functionality as valuable habitats and hotspots.