Restoration of Cystoseira macroalgal FORESTs to enhance biodiversity along Mediterranean rocky REEFs
Restoration of Cystoseira macroalgal FORESTs to enhance biodiversity along Mediterranean rocky REEFs
REEForest LIFE
REEForest LIFE aims to reverse the degradation of the endangered Cystoseira Habitat 1170 by implementing active restoration and setting up monitoring plans in 4 marine protected areas (Italy: Sinis Peninsula, Cilento National Park, Bergeggi Island; Greece: Gyaros island) where the causes of degradation have been addressed.
Macroalgal forests, one of the most productive and valuable habitats in the Mediterranean, are presently rapidly being lost because of direct and indirect human impacts.
Due to their role in supporting biodiversity their loss is leading to a decline in critical ecosystem services and a reduction in the ability of the oceans to sequester carbon dioxide and contribute to climate change mitigation.
For these reasons, prompt conservation and restoration efforts are needed, also in the context of UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030).
Capitalizing outcomes of ROC-POP LIFE, the project will restore the ecological status in the target MPAs through the implementation of specific conservation measures and cost-effective/sustainable reforestation activities (i.e. ex-situ and in-situ recruitment enhancement).
In addition, REEForest will
- provide concrete and robust methods that can be used to replicate and scale up restoration activities in other areas and with other species
- propose Guidelines for Mediterranean marine forest restoration that are relevant to EU policies, and support researchers and stakeholders to take correct decisions considering cost-effectiveness, ecological conditions and potential threats
- raise awareness among citizens and stakeholders on the loss of marine forests in the Mediterranean Sea
- promote knowledge replicability on the conservation, management and restoration of Cystoseira habitat through training, capacity building and “decision support” in at least 14 MPAs (Natura2000) and support MPA management bodies to formally adopt and update their management plans by including Cystoseira as a biodiversity target.
Restoration of Cystoseira macroalgal FORESTs to enhance biodiversity along Mediterranean rocky REEFs
News
Cystoseira live during Radio3Scienza
Our scientific coordinator Annalisa Falace broadcasted live during one of the most important Italian radio shows on science. On September 26th, Elisabetta Tola interviewed Annalisa Falace during Radio3Scienza on marine restoration and the activities of the REEForest project. After a
REEForest survey initiative!
Now it’s up to you! Today we are not going to explore what our researchers are doing or how the seedlings are growing in our outplanting sites. Today we want to know what you think about marine environment and Cystoseira
Restoration underway in Gyaros Island!
The first successful cultivation of Cystoseira offspring by the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR) team took place earlier this spring, following several months of intense preparations. Efforts began in February 2024, when researchers started the regular monitoring of Cystoseira
More outplanting in Bergeggi MPA!
In the laboratories of the University of Genoa, the young individuals of Ericaria amentacea, formerly known as Cystoseira amentacea, variety stricta, were already thriving. After harvesting hundreds of fertile apices and placing them on clay disks for cultivation, the reproduction
The future legacy of Gyaros Island is about to begin
The researchers from the Greek Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR) are about to start the outplanting activities on Gyaros Island! After months of anticipation, the seedlings of Cystoseira are ready to be transferred to Gyaros’ shallow reef with the
REEForest Events update
REEForest is not just a lot of field and lab work, but also many initiatives to tell what we do to protect and restore marine forests. From the “open days” at universities, to international conferences and scientific conventions, from podcasts