This year, the 34th National Congress of the Italian Society of Ecology was held in Caserta from 17 to 19 September.
For three days, the University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’ came alive with round tables, presentations and discussions dedicated to the protection of ecosystems. For us, it was an excellent opportunity to share methods and results related to our project.
The researchers involved in the REEForest project thanks to our partner University of Naples ‘Parthenope’ participated in the congress in various ways. They illustrated what we are doing for the restoration of marine forests of Cystoseira sensu lato from multiple perspectives.
Our researcher Francesco Rendina delivered an oral presentation during the session dedicated to the role of ecology in conservation, restoration and planning. Rendina’s contribution illustrated the work carried out over the last three years on Cystoseira crinitophylla in Cilento, through the challenges and successes that emerged during marine restoration activities in the field and in the laboratory.
In addition, our researcher Filomena Cerciello presented a poster dedicated to calculating the natural capital of Cystoseira s. l. on the Cilento coast. In order to successfully intervene in marine reforestation, it is also necessary to work on raising awareness in stakeholders of the fundamental role of macroalgae forests in the marine ecosystem. Thanks to research on natural capital, we can estimate the economic impact achieved through the restoration of Cystoseira s.l. and the recovery of its ecosystem services.
It was a valuable opportunity to meet experts working on other ecosystems and environmental protection measures. We will continue to participate in conferences and congresses and to report on threats and opportunities for the recovery of macroalgae forests in the Mediterranean Sea!
