Marine forests formed by canopy-forming seaweeds have a critical ecological, economic, and social significance. These habitats are threatened by a combination of local and global stressors, which has resulted in a general decline at global level. This phenomenon is particularly evident in the Mediterranean Sea, where algal forests are formed mostly by species of Cystoseira sensu lato (genera Cystoseira, Ericaria, and Gongolaria). The regression of these communities has highlighted the urgent need of tailored approaches for their conservation and restoration. Efforts so far, however, have been hampered by a still limited knowledge of key aspects of their biology and by the lack of widely accepted indicators of their status. The Biodiversa+ FORESCUE project aims at filling some of these gaps and providing new tools for the management of these communities. The main goals of the project are: 1) describe geographic patterns of genetic diversity within Cystoseira species; 2) assess the tolerance of Cystoseira species to different stressors; 3) test the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for mapping the Cystoseira forests; 4) characterise several biotic variables to define indicators of good environmental status in Cystoseira forests. Demographic and phenological traits, eDNA, microbial assemblages, and associated animal and macroalgal epiphytic communities are the main response variables considered. Assessments of photosynthetic performance and diversity of secondary metabolites are also performed for selected populations. The multidisciplinary and transnational nature of the project will allow to advance knowledge on Cystoseira communities and to provide new tools and best practices for the management of Cystoseira forests.
New approaches for the conservation and restoration of Mediterranean algal forests / Rindi, F.; Bellanti, G.; Bianchelli, S.; de Caralt, S.; Cebrian, E.; Cipolloni, O.; Crocetta, F.; D’Aniello, I.; De Clerck, O.; Derijard, B.; Fabbrizzi, E.; Fraschetti, S.; Mangialajo, L.; Mehiri, M.; Marletta, G.; Moro, I.; Munari, M.; Neiva, J.; Orfanidis, S.; Papathanasiou, V.; Peeters, S.; Sabourault, C.; Serrão, E.; Sitjà, C.; Stock, W.; Tsioli, S.; Verdura, J.; Vergés, A.; Danovaro, R.. - ELETTRONICO. - (2024), pp. 38-38. (Intervento presentato al convegno 57th European Marine Biology Symposium tenutosi a Napoli nel 16-20 settembre 2024).
New approaches for the conservation and restoration of Mediterranean algal forests
Rindi F.;Bellanti G.;Bianchelli S.;Cipolloni O.;Fraschetti S.;Marletta G.;Danovaro R.
2024-01-01
Abstract
Marine forests formed by canopy-forming seaweeds have a critical ecological, economic, and social significance. These habitats are threatened by a combination of local and global stressors, which has resulted in a general decline at global level. This phenomenon is particularly evident in the Mediterranean Sea, where algal forests are formed mostly by species of Cystoseira sensu lato (genera Cystoseira, Ericaria, and Gongolaria). The regression of these communities has highlighted the urgent need of tailored approaches for their conservation and restoration. Efforts so far, however, have been hampered by a still limited knowledge of key aspects of their biology and by the lack of widely accepted indicators of their status. The Biodiversa+ FORESCUE project aims at filling some of these gaps and providing new tools for the management of these communities. The main goals of the project are: 1) describe geographic patterns of genetic diversity within Cystoseira species; 2) assess the tolerance of Cystoseira species to different stressors; 3) test the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for mapping the Cystoseira forests; 4) characterise several biotic variables to define indicators of good environmental status in Cystoseira forests. Demographic and phenological traits, eDNA, microbial assemblages, and associated animal and macroalgal epiphytic communities are the main response variables considered. Assessments of photosynthetic performance and diversity of secondary metabolites are also performed for selected populations. The multidisciplinary and transnational nature of the project will allow to advance knowledge on Cystoseira communities and to provide new tools and best practices for the management of Cystoseira forests.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
