Conservation strategies in the Mediterranean

Abstract Citizen science data have already been used to effectively address questions regarding migration, a fundamental stage in the life history of birds. In this study, we use data from eBird and from 3 additional regional citizen science databases to describe the migration routes and timing of the red-footed falcon Falco vespertinus in the Mediterranean region across 8 years (2010–2017). We further examine the seasonal and yearly variation in migration patterns and explore sites used during the species migration. Our results suggest that the autumn passage is spatially less variable and temporally more consistent among years than in spring and that birds migrate faster in spring than in autumn. The species seems to be more prevalent along the Central Mediterranean during spring migration, probably as a result of the clockwise loop migration that red-footed falcons perform. There was a high variation in annual median migration dates for both seasons as well as in migration routes across years and seasons. Higher variation was exhibited in the longitudinal component thus indicating flexibility in migration routes. In addition, our results showed the species’ preference for lowlands covered with cropland and mosaics of cropland and natural vegetation as stopover sites during migration. Stopover areas predicted from our distribution modeling highlight the importance of the Mediterranean islands as stopover sites for sea-crossing raptors, such as the red-footed falcon. This study is the first to provide a broad-scale spatiotemporal perspective on the species migration across seasons, years and flyways and demonstrates how citizen science data can inform future monitoring and conservation strategies.

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From troubles to solutions: conservation of Mediterranean tortoises under global change

Basic and Applied Herpetology ◽

10.11160/bah.196 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Eva Graciá ◽

Roberto Carlos Rodríguez-Caro ◽

Marcos Ferrández ◽

Albert Martínez-Silvestre ◽

Irene Pérez-Ibarra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Region ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Natural Habitat ◽

Conservation Strategies ◽

Wild Animals ◽

Wild Populations ◽

Testudo Graeca ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Endangered Status

Chelonians are among the animal groups with the poorest conservation status. Since tortoises are long-lived species that need very long time to reach sexual maturity, they are extremely vulnerable to human pressure. Despite their endangered status, there are no common strategies for the development of conservation actions. At the “Mediterranean workshop to develop tortoise conservation strategies”, scientists, conservation associations, environmental managers, IUCN advisers and CITES inspectors met in October 2019 in Alicante (Spain). The aims were to update the diagnosis of the conservation status of the Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni) and the spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) and to suggest strategies that guarantee their preservation at the Mediterranean Region. The main conclusions are summarized by: i) Mediterranean tortoises are wild endangered species that must be protected in, and together with, their natural habitat. Their main threats are habitat loss and fragmentation and pet trade, but we should also pay attention to wildfires, spread of diseases, the introduction of exotic species or lineages and climate change. ii) Long-term efforts and stablished protocols are needed to accurately diagnose and monitor the conservation status of wild populations, as well as flows among captive and wild animals. iii) Tortoise trade should be banned because it threatens the conservation of wild populations of tortoises. Illegal practices related to tortoises should be decidedly persecuted. People should consider tortoises as wild animals that are endangered and deserving of protection. It is possible to enjoy them by responsibly observing them in their habitat. iv) Tortoises may carry pathogens or parasites and their sanitary status cannot be fully assessed. They should always be considered potential vectors of tortoise diseases and of zoonosis. Hygiene protocols should be implemented when managing them. v) The researchers attending this workshop aimed to develop a scientific network for the long-term monitoring of graeca and T. hermanni populations in the Mediterranean Region. They will need the support from public administrations.

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Unfolding Jellyfish Bloom Dynamics along the Mediterranean Basin by Transnational Citizen Science Initiatives

Diversity ◽

10.3390/d13060274 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 274

Author(s):

Macarena Marambio ◽

Antonio Canepa ◽

Laura Lòpez ◽

Aldo Adam Gauci ◽

Sonia K. M. Gueroun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Citizen Science ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Conservation Strategies ◽

Coastal Zones ◽

Central Mediterranean ◽

Jellyfish Bloom ◽

Blue Growth ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Collaborative Implementation

Science is addressing global societal challenges, and due to limitations in research financing, scientists are turning to the public at large to jointly tackle specific environmental issues. Citizens are therefore increasingly involved in monitoring programs, appointed as citizen scientists with potential to delivering key data at near to no cost to address environmental challenges, therein fostering scientific knowledge and advising policy- and decision-makers. One of the first and most successful examples of marine citizen science in the Mediterranean is represented by the integrative and collaborative implementation of several jellyfish-spotting campaigns in Italy, Spain, Malta, and Tunisia starting in 2009. Altogether, in terms of time coverage, geographic extent, and number of citizen records, these represent the most effective marine citizen science campaigns thus far implemented in the Mediterranean Sea. Here, we analyzed a collective database merging records over the above four countries, featuring more than 100,000 records containing almost 25,000 observations of jellyfish specimens collected over a period of 3 to 7 years (from 2009 to 2015) by citizen scientists participating in any of the national citizen science programs included in this analysis. Such a wide citizen science exercise demonstrates a valuable and cost-effective tool to understanding ecological drivers of jellyfish proliferation over the Western and Central Mediterranean basins, as well as a powerful contribution to developing tailored adaptation and management strategies; mitigating jellyfish impacts on human activities in coastal zones; and supporting implementation of marine spatial planning, Blue Growth, and conservation strategies.

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Mediterranean Red Macro Algae Mats as Habitat for High Abundances of Serpulid Polychaetes

Diversity ◽

10.3390/d13060265 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 265

Author(s):

Felix I. Rossbach ◽

Edoardo Casoli ◽

Milan Beck ◽

Christian Wild

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Mediterranean Sea ◽

Habitat Type ◽

Marine Species ◽

Abundant Species ◽

Posidonia Oceanica ◽

Conservation Strategies ◽

Tyrrhenian Sea ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Taxonomic Groups

The Mediterranean Sea harbors more than 17,000 eukaryotic marine species, with several ecosystems recognized as biodiversity hotspots, such as Posidonia oceanica meadows. Recent research indicates that benthic mats formed by the fleshy red alga Phyllophora crispa are also associated with high species richness. Among key groups found in these mats are sessile polychaetes, which live as epiphytes on the red algae thalli. Knowledge of abundance, species richness, and spatial variation of polychaetes associated with these habitats is still scarce. We carried out a comparative assessment focusing on serpulid polychaetes within samples from P. crispa mats and neighboring P. oceanica meadows at six different sampling sites around Giglio Island (Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy). A total of 17 serpulid taxa were identified. The abundance of serpulids (5665 individuals m−2 of P. crispa mat) were similar to neighboring P. oceanica meadows (2304 individuals m−2 leaves and 5890 individuals m−2 shoots). The number of serpulid taxa was significantly higher in P. crispa mats (average 6.63 ± 1.32 taxa) compared to P. oceanica beds (average 1.56 ± 0.63 and 1.84 ± 1.04 taxa in leaves and shoots, respectively). Within habitat type, there were no significant differences in species richness between sites. The most abundant species found was Josephella marenzelleri (61% of individuals), while Vermiliopsis spp. and Bathyvermilia sp. were exclusively found in P. crispa samples. Our results highlight that P. crispa mats host an exceptional diversity and that these habitats should be included in conservation strategies. Further research should focus on the significance of other important taxonomic groups within these mats and evaluate the distribution of P. crispa in different regions of the Mediterranean Sea.

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Conservation in the crossroads of history

Plant Evolution in the Mediterranean ◽

10.1093/oso/9780198835141.003.0007 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 263-311

Author(s):

John D. Thompson

Keyword(s):

Traditional Approach ◽

Natural Populations ◽

Plant Evolution ◽

Conservation Strategies ◽

Evolutionary Potential ◽

Mediterranean Flora ◽

Complementary Approach ◽

Dispersal Agents ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Major Target

The first six chapters of this book describe the range of historical and contemporary processes that underlie the wealth, diversity, and divergence of natural populations and species in the Mediterranean flora. The processes of species divergence, adaptive trait variation along ecological transitions, interactions with pollinators and dispersal agents, and ongoing hybridization are, however, barely treated in conservation policy and action. After a presentation of the traditional approach to conservation based on rare species protection and the identification and conservation management of protected areas, this chapter presents arguments for a complementary approach based on the processes of plant evolution. Its primary proposal is that preventing further loss of evolutionary potential should become a major target of contemporary conservation strategies for the Mediterranean flora.

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Conservation of Micromeria browiczii (Lamiaceae), Endemic to Zakynthos Island (Ionian Islands, Greece)

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10040778 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 778

Author(s):

Anna-Thalassini Valli ◽

Christos Chondrogiannis ◽

George Grammatikopoulos ◽

Gregoris Iatrou ◽

Panayiotis Trigas

Keyword(s):

Population Size ◽

Geographical Distribution ◽

Extinction Risk ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Scientific Information ◽

Conservation Strategies ◽

Modern Biology ◽

Annual Fluctuation ◽

Ionian Islands ◽

The Mediterranean

The massive decline in biodiversity due to anthropogenic threats has led to the emergence of conservation as one of the central goals in modern biology. Conservation strategies are urgently needed for addressing the ongoing loss of plant diversity. The Mediterranean basin, and especially the Mediterranean islands, host numerous rare and threatened plants in need of urgent conservation actions. In this study, we assess the current conservation status of Micromeria browiczii, a local endemic to Zakynthos Island (Ionian Islands, Greece), and estimate its future risk of extinction by compiling and assessing scientific information on geographical distribution, population dynamics and reproductive biology. The population size and the geographical distribution of the species were monitored for five years. The current population of the species consists of 15 subpopulations. Considerable annual fluctuation of population size was detected. The species is assessed as Endangered according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature threat categories. According to population viability analysis results, its extinction risk was estimated to be 5.6% over the next 50 years, when six of the fifteen subpopulations (40%) might become extinct. The investigation of certain aspects of the species’ biology yielded important data necessary to identify critical aspects for its survival and to propose conservation measures.

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Unfolding Jellyfish Bloom Dynamics Along the Mediterranean Basin by Transnational Citizen Science Initiatives

10.20944/preprints202103.0310.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Macarena Marambio ◽

Antonio Canepa ◽

Laura Lopez ◽

Adam Gauci ◽

Sonia Gueroun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Citizen Science ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Conservation Strategies ◽

Coastal Zones ◽

Central Mediterranean ◽

Jellyfish Bloom ◽

Blue Growth ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Collaborative Implementation

Science is addressing global societal challenges and, due to limitations in research financing, scientists are turning to public at large to jointly tackle specific environmental issues. Citizens are therefore increasingly involved in monitoring programs, appointed as citizen scientists with potential to delivering key data at near no cost to address environmental challenges, so fostering scientific knowledge and advise policy- and decision-makers. One of the first and most successful example of marine citizen science in the Mediterranean is represented by the integrative and collaborative implementation of several jellyfish spotting campaigns in Italy, Spain, Malta, Tunisia started in 2009. Altogether, in terms of time coverage, geographic extent, and number of citizen records, these represent the most effective marine citizen science campaign so far implemented in the Mediterranean Sea. Here we analyzed a collective database merging records over the above four Countries, featuring more than 100,000 records containing almost 25,000 observations of jellyfish specimens, collected over a period of 3 to 7 years (from 2009 to 2015) by citizen scientists participating in any of the national citizen science programs included in this analysis. Such a wide citizen science exercise demonstrates to be one of the so far available most valuable and cost-effective tools to understanding ecological drivers of jellyfish proliferations over the Western and Central Mediterranean basins, and a powerful contribute to develop tailored adaptation and management strategies, mitigate jellyfish impacts on human activities in coastal zones, and support implementation of marine spatial planning, Blue Growth and conservation strategies.

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A review of methods to assess connectivity and dispersal between fish populations in the Mediterranean Sea

Advances in Oceanography and Limnology ◽

10.4081/aiol.2013.5342 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 150 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Antonio Calò ◽

Fabiana C. Félix-Hackradt ◽

Jessica Garcia ◽

Carlos W. Hackradt ◽

Delphine Rocklin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Sea ◽

Marine Protected Area ◽

Fish Populations ◽

Conservation Strategies ◽

Fish Movements ◽

Fish Stocks ◽

Life History Stages ◽

Connectivity Patterns ◽

Pros And Cons ◽

The Mediterranean

Fish populations are linked to each other via dispersal of individuals as eggs, larvae, juveniles or adults. The understanding of this process, known as connectivity, has a pivotal role for the management of overexploited fish stocks and the development of accurate conservation strategies. Knowledge on connectivity and fish movements is considered fundamental toward the correct design of marine protected area (MPA) networks for the achievement of the benefits of protection. Connectivity patterns are still largely unknown worldwide. A general lack of knowledge is particularly evident for the Mediterranean Sea where few studies dealing with this topic have been carried out and some methods, currently available for assessing connectivity, have not been used yet. In this review we present the methods used for studying connectivity patterns and fish movements at different life history stages and the main results achieved until now in the Mediterranean Sea. We encompass the pros and cons of each method, and conclude with future perspectives on the use of these methodologies in the Mediterranean context.

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Lactation and mother–pup behaviour in the Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus: an unusual pattern for a phocid

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom ◽

10.1017/s0025315407056147 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 87 (1) ◽

pp. 93-99 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

A. Aguilar ◽

L.H. Cappozzo ◽

M. Gazo ◽

T. Pastor ◽

J. Forcada ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climatic Conditions ◽

Conservation Strategies ◽

Maternal Behaviour ◽

Lactation Period ◽

Breeding Sites ◽

Lactation Length ◽

Baseline Information ◽

Lactating Females ◽

The Mediterranean

This paper presents baseline information on maternal behaviour and lactation in the Mediterranean monk seal, with particular focus on the age at which pups are weaned. The study was conducted in the western Saharan population, the only surviving colony of the species. The first moult finished at a mean pup age of 72.3±17 d (N=17) and, in contrast to other taxonomically-related phocids, this process was not associated with weaning. Lactation lasted a mean of 119.4 d (N=9; range: 103–149 d) in the pups that could be monitored until full weaning had taken place. This period almost doubles the maximum lactation length reported in other phocid species. During the first week after birth the mother–pup bond was well developed and mothers always remained with their pups. The time invested in nursing (17%, SD: ±36) and in mother–pup interactions (14%, SD: ±32) was higher during this period than afterwards (8%, SD: ±23 and 4%, SD: ±19, respectively). After the first week, nursing continued but mothers started to leave their pups in order to feed at sea. Weaning occurred gradually. Already since birth, pups were active and mobile, and swam frequently before moulting or weaning occurred. Fostering and milk stealing were common patterns of behaviour for both lactating females and pups. In 26.6% of the suckling episodes observed in mother–pup pairs of known identity, pups suckled from females other than their mothers. Some females nursed more than one pup, at least occasionally, and in some cases a pup was fostered long-term by an alien female. The Mediterranean monk seal exhibits maternal-care characteristics that are more like otarids than phocids. This observation contradicts previous proposals that a short lactation period is a phylogenetic characteristic of phocids. Several of the unusual maternal traits observed may be favoured by year-round access to abundant food supply, availability of breeding sites, and mild climatic conditions. This information should be taken into account when designing conservation strategies for the species and, very particularly, in the implementation of pup rehabilitation programmes.

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An ecological perspective on ‘plant carnivory beyond bogs’: nutritional benefits of prey capture for the Mediterranean carnivorous plant Drosophyllum lusitanicum

Annals of Botany ◽

10.1093/aob/mcz045 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 124 (1) ◽

pp. 65-76 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Laura M Skates ◽

Maria Paniw ◽

Adam T Cross ◽

Fernando Ojeda ◽

Kingsley W Dixon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prey Capture ◽

Natural Habitat ◽

Carnivorous Plant ◽

Carnivorous Plants ◽

Conservation Strategies ◽

Soil P ◽

Seasonally Dry ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Nutritional Benefits

AbstractBackground and aimsLittle is known about the evolutionary and ecological drivers of carnivory in plants, particularly for those terrestrial species that do not occur in typical swamp or bog habitats. The Mediterranean endemic Drosophyllum lusitanicum (Drosophyllaceae) is one of very few terrestrial carnivorous plant species outside of Australia to occur in seasonally dry, fire-prone habitats, and is thus an ecological rarity. Here we assess the nutritional benefits of prey capture for D. lusitanicum under differing levels of soil fertility in situ.MethodsWe measured the total nitrogen and stable nitrogen and carbon isotope ratios of D. lusitanicum leaves, neighbouring non-carnivorous plant leaves, and groups of insect prey in three populations in southern Spain. We calculated trophic enrichment (ε15N) and estimated the proportion of prey-derived nitrogen (%Nprey) in D. lusitanicum leaves, and related these factors to soil chemistry parameters measured at each site.Key resultsIn all three populations studied, D. lusitanicum plants were significantly isotopically enriched compared with neighbouring non-carnivorous plants. We estimated that D. lusitanicum gain ~36 %Nprey at the Puerto de Gáliz site, ~54 %Nprey at the Sierra Carbonera site and ~75 %Nprey at the Montera del Torero site. Enrichment in N isotope (ε15N) differed considerably among sites; however, it was not found to be significantly related to log10(soil N), log10(soil P) or log10(soil K).ConclusionsDrosophyllum lusitanicum individuals gain a significant nutritional benefit from captured prey in their natural habitat, exhibiting proportions of prey-derived nitrogen that are similar to those recorded for carnivorous plants occurring in more mesic environments. This study adds to the growing body of literature confirming that carnivory is a highly beneficial nutritional strategy not only in mesic habitats but also in seasonally dry environments, and provides insights to inform conservation strategies for D. lusitanicum in situ.

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