1. INTRODUCTION Angiosperms (i.e. Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile) and Macroalgae seem to be reliable bioindicators due to their wide distribution, reasonable size, sessile condition, easy collection, abundance and sensitivity to modifications of the littoral zone (Boudouresque et al., 2009). All over the world the coastal zone is subject to continuous population growth and increasing land use for agriculture, industry and urban activities, which generate the increase of human impacts on shallow coastal waters. These three main drivers (agriculture, industry and urban areas) are considered in the Land Use Simplified Index (LUSI, WFD-CIS phase II, Technical paper) that is a specific method to evaluate the anthropogenic pressures influencing a coastal water body (Flo et al., 2011). Water Framework Directive (WFD 2000/60/EC) considers Angiosperms and Macroalgae, among others, as biological quality elements (BQEs) in the evaluation of the ecological status of coastal water bodies (WBs) as regards the pressures insisting on the monitored coastal stretch. By means of the D.M. 260/2010, Italy adopts the PREI (Posidonia Rapid Easy Index) (Gobert et al., 2009) and the CARLIT (Cartography Littoral Zone) (Ballesteros et al., 2007) indices as the National official classification methods. The aims of this study are to show the ecological classification results obtained for the Italian national sites through the P. oceanica and Macroalgae BQEs, and to verify the sensitivity of PREI and CARLIT indices as to the anthropogenic pressures, by testing a modified pressure indicator, named Ma - LUSI (Marine LUSI, WFD-CIS phase II, Technical paper), which takes into account larger number of pressure drivers than LUSI (see Table 1). REFERENCES BALLESTEROS E., TORRAS X., PINEDO S, GARCÍA M., MANGIALAJO L., TORRES DE M., 2007. A new methodology based on littoral community cartography for the implementation of the European Water Framework Directive. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 55: 172-180. BOUDOURESQUE F.C., BERNARD G., PERGENT G., SHILI A., VERLAQUE M., 2009. Regression of Mediterranean seagrasses caused by natural processes and anthropogenic disturbances and stress: a critical review. Botanica Marina 52: 395-418. FLO E., CAMP J., GARCÉS E., 2011. Assessment Pressure methodology, Land Uses Simplified Index (LUSI). (Personal communication WFD-CIS- phase II, Technical paper) GOBERT S., SARTORETTO S., RICO-RAIMONDINO V., ANDRAL B., CHERY A., LEJEUNE P., BOISSERY P. (2009) - Assessment of the ecological status of Mediterranean French coastal waters as required by the Water Framework Directive using the Posidonia oceanica Rapid Easy Index: PREI. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 58: 1727-1733. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The highest EQR values of PREI and CARLIT stating the High Ecological Status of WBs have been identified in the Marine Protected Areas (MPA), which are characterized by no or very low anthropogenic pressures (Fig.1a, Fig.1b and Tab. 2). Differently, the lowest values of PREI and CARLIT have been calculated in areas where there are not optimal conditions for life of P. oceanica meadows and Cystoseira macroalgae assemblages (e.g. high degree of urbanization, intensive industrial and agriculture activities). The pressures and impacts analysis highlighted a good correlation between the EQRs values of PREI and CARLIT vs the MA-LUSI index, showing a good sensitivity of indices (PREI and CARLIT) vs pressures (Fig. 2a and 2b). Finally GIS analysis selected the lowest pressure areas defined “benchmark sites”: Asinara, Capo Carbonara, Punta Mesco Parco 5 Terre, Carbonifera, Punta Tresino, Maraone-Egadi Islands (for the Angiosperms BQE) and Montecristo Island, Carbonara (Serpentara Island), Favignana - Maraone Island (for the Macroalgae BQE) (Fig. 3). Study of Macrophytes in WFD 2000/60/EC: the response of the adopted indices to anthropogenic pressure along the Italian coast. Rende F., Bacci T., Gennaro P., Penna M., Trabucco B., Austoni M., Giovanardi F., Cicero A.M. ISPRA –Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, Via Vitaliano Brancati 48, Rome, Italy Fig. 3 - Italian “benchmark” sites Capo Carbonara EQR value: 0.680 EQR value: 0.842 Maraone I. Egadi EQR value: 0.881 Asinara Parco 5 Terre Punta Tresino Carbonifera EQR value:0.707 EQR EQR value:0.609 EQR value:0.626 “BENCHMARK” SITES EQB ANGIOSPERMS Isola di Montecristo EQR value: 1.0 Carbonara Isola Favignana - Maraone EQR value: 0,9 Falesia alta EQV calc = 20 Falesia bassa EQV calc = 20 Blocchi metrici Falesia bassa Falesia alta EQV calc = 20 “BENCHMARK” SITES EQB MACROALGAE HIGHGOODMODERATEPOORBAD ECOLOGICAL STATUS Tab.2 – 29 Italian marine areas classified by PREI index; 1b – 25 Italian marine areas classified by CARLIT index. (Unofficial Classification) Tab.2 – 29 Italian marine areas classified by PREI index; 1b – 25 Italian marine areas classified by CARLIT index. (Unofficial Classification) Fig.2 – Relationships of EQRs PREI and CARLIT index vs LUSI index. MATERIAL AND METHODS The PREI and CARLIT data managed by "Si.Di.Mar." database in the frame of the National Monitoring Program (L. 979/82) have been collected during the 2008-2009 biennium in 29 areas (for P.oceanica) and in 25 areas (for Macroalgae) within the Italian Seas ( Fig.1a and Fig.1b). Table 1 shows variables considered in the Ma – LUSI index, selected by data source. Tab.1 – pressure drivers (direct/indirect) adopted to MA – LUSI index EQB Macroalgae EQB Angiosperms Fig 1a. – 29 Italian marine areas classified by PREI index; 1b – 25 Italian marine areas classified by CARLIT index. (Unofficial Classification ) 1a 1b CARLIT index PREI index 1b CONCLUSIONS In general, PREI and CARLIT indices show a good sensitivity to anthropogenic disturbances and stress. Moreover, nationwide in most cases both indices classify the ecological status in the same way. Since data are still partial, in the near future a wider data-base will be useful to strengthen the effective comparability of ecological status classification between indices and to make possible improvements in the classification route. This research was possible thanks to the data of the database Si.Di.Mar. funded by the Ministry of the Environment, Land and Sea. p < 0.01 2a 2b