The impact of artificial beach construction on the stability of seagrass meadows and the spread of invasive algae along the west Istrian coast.

Cilj ovog diplomskog rada bio je pokazati utjecaj izgradnje plaže u uvali Funtana na stanje livada morskih cvjetnica u uvjetima prirodnog unosa terigenog materijala. Sediment koji se taloži u uvali ispred umjetne plaže dominantno je terigenog porijekla, uglavnom pjeskovit s različitim primjesama frakcija praha. Sediment je slabo karbonatan. Muljevita frakcija sedimenta nepovoljno utječe na estetski izgled plaže ukazujući na konflikt prirodnog funkcioniranja okoliša i antropogenih zahtjeva. Rezultati praćenja stanja okoliša morskog dna livada cvjetnica pokazali su da se nazire pogoršanje. To pogoršanje vjerojatno je posljedica kombiniranog utjecaja antropogenih aktivnosti i prisutnošću invazivne alge vrste Caulerpa cylindracea.The aim of this research was to examine the impact of beach construction in Funtana Bay on the condition of seagrass meadows at site of natural input of terrigenous material. The sediment that settles in the bay in front of the artificial beach is predominantly of terrigenous origin, mostly sandy with various admixtures of silt fractions. The sediment is weakly carbonate. The muddy fraction of sediment has a negative impact on aesthetic appearance of the beach gravel, indicating a conflict between the natural functioning of the environment and anthropogenic requirements. The results of monitoring the environmental conditions of the seagrass meadows showed an environmental deterioration. This deterioration is probably due to the combined influence of anthropogenic activities and the presence of invasive algae Caulerpa cylindracea