Comparative studies of littoral biocoenoses of the Kornati Islands

Abstract

      Results of long-term studies of the structure and distribution of plant and animal organisms of littoral biocoenoses of the Kornati Islands, developed on ecologically different localiteties, are presented.

      The studies included macrobenthic faunal forms and accompanying flora on the bionomic steps of supralittoral, mediolittoral, infralittoral and a part of circalittoral down to 100 m depth.

       The distribution of benthic organisms in the waters of Kornati Islands is primarily dependent on the type and slope of habitats, their exposure to waves, currents and light. So the more exposed coasts of outer islands are inhabited by a greater variety of biocoenoses than more protected or sheltered ones. Steep, rocky shores, well sea washed, are inhabited by a larger number of plant and animal species than vertical and exposed localities or sloping and sheltered ones.