Artificial marine micro-reserves as a new ecosystem-based management tool for marine conservation: The case of Patella ferruginea (Gastropoda, Patellidae), one of the most endangered marine invertebrates of the Mediterranean

Since 2001, trained snorkelers, freedivers, and scuba diver volunteers (collectively called EcoDivers) have been recording data on the distribution, abundance, and bathymetric range of 43 selected key marine species along the Mediterranean Sea coasts using the Reef Check Mediterranean Underwater Coastal Environment Monitoring (RCMed U-CEM) protocol. The taxa, including algae, invertebrates, and fishes, were selected by a combination of criteria, including ease of identification and being a key indicator of shifts in the Mediterranean subtidal habitats due to local pressures and climate change. The dataset collected using the RCMed U-CEM protocol is openly accessible across different platforms and allows for various uses. It has proven to be useful for several purposes, such as monitoring the ecological status of Mediterranean coastal environments, assessing the effects of human impacts and management interventions, as well as complementing scientific papers on species distribution and abundance, distribution modeling, and historical series. Also, the commitment of volunteers promotes marine stewardship and environmental awareness in marine conservation. Here, we describe the RCMed U-CEM protocol from training volunteers to recording, delivering, and sharing data, including the quality assurance and control (QA/QC) procedures.

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Molecular evidence for sweeping discontinuity between peracarid (Crustacea) fauna of Macaronesian islands and nearby continental coasts: over fifty candidate endemic species

10.1101/2021.06.22.449383 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Pedro E Vieira ◽

Andrea Desiderato ◽

Carla L Azevedo ◽

Patricia Esquete ◽

Filipe O Costa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dna Sequences ◽

Marine Invertebrates ◽

Genetic Distances ◽

Oceanic Islands ◽

Marine Conservation ◽

Molecular Evidence ◽

Network Analyses ◽

Operational Taxonomic Units ◽

La Palma ◽

Macaronesian Islands

Oceanic islands are recognized evolutionary hotspots for terrestrial organisms, but little is known about their impact on marine organisms' evolution and biogeography. The volcanic archipelagos of Macaronesia occupy a vast and complex region which is particularly suitable to investigate marine island biogeography. In this study, we used mitochondrial DNA sequences to investigate the genetic diferentiation between the populations from Webbnesia (i.e. Madeira, Selvagens and Canaries) and adjacent coasts, of 23 intertidal peracarid species. All species had unexpectedly high intraspecific genetic distances, reaching more than 20% in some cases. Between 79 and 95 Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs) were found in these species. Webbnesia populations displayed an impressive genetic diversity and high endemicity, with 83% of the MOTUs being private to these islands, particularly La Palma and Madeira. Network analyses suggested higher similarity between Webbnesia and Azores than with adjacent continental coasts. These results reveal an unanticipated and sweeping biogeographic discontinuity of peracaridean fauna between Webbnesia and the Iberian Peninsula, raising suspicion about the possible occurrence of identical patterns in other groups of marine invertebrates in the region. We emphasize the unique genetic heritage hosted by these islands, underlining the need to consider the fine scale endemicity in marine conservation efforts.

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A combined approach to assessing the conservation status of Cap des Trois Fourches as a potential MPA: is there a shortage of MPAs in the southern Mediterranean?

Mediterranean Marine Science ◽

10.12681/mms.775 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 15 (3) ◽

pp. 654 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

F. ESPINOSA ◽

C. NAVARRO-BARRANCO ◽

A. R. GONZÁLEZ ◽

M. MAESTRE ◽

J. C. GARCÍA-GÓMEZ ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endangered Species ◽

Benthic Communities ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Marine Conservation ◽

Scientific Data ◽

Local Economy ◽

Spatial Gradient ◽

Seagrass Meadows ◽

Α Diversity ◽

The Mediterranean

The Mediterranean basin is recognized as one of the most diverse regions on the planet, but is being threatened by overexploitation and habitat loss. Furthermore, the Strait of Gibraltar and adjacent Alboran Sea have been identified as representing an important habitat for many threatened or endangered species. In this context, one vehicle for marine conservation is the creation of marine protected sites, although Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are neither large nor representative enough to form an effective network of protection. An inventory of the benthic communities and habitats of conservation interest has been carried out in Cap des Trois Fourches, an ecological and biogeographical site of interest. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed differences for marine communities among habitats and localities, indicating a great diversity in marine assemblages but an absence of a spatial gradient in marine α-diversity. The Trois Fourches area showed a high environmental quality and hosted several endangered species. Habitats of conservation concern, such as marine caves, seagrass meadows and coralligenous assemblages, were detected and studied. The scientific data recorded provide sound support for the establishment of a new MPA in Trois Fourches, taking into account that the findings match the scientific criteria required for declaration as a protected area. The benefits for connectivity at the Mediterranean scale and the local economy are discussed.

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From the Levant to Gibraltar: A Regional Perspective for Marine Conservation in the Mediterranean Sea

SSRN Electronic Journal ◽

10.2139/ssrn.2880098 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Michelle Portman ◽

Noam Levin

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Sea ◽

Marine Conservation ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Regional Perspective

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Mobilizing values: using perceptions of barachois ponds in Nova Scotia to advance informed management

FACETS ◽

10.1139/facets-2020-0060 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 215-239

Author(s):

Lydia Ross ◽

Lucia Fanning

Keyword(s):

Nova Scotia ◽

Cultural Values ◽

Q Methodology ◽

Coastal Lagoons ◽

Wetland Management ◽

Critical Role ◽

Marine Conservation ◽

Management Tool ◽

Conservation Strategies ◽

Management Decision

Meaningful engagement is increasingly used as a management tool for understanding the multitude of complex values and potential conflicts around marine conservation and the production of conservation strategies deemed acceptable by local communities. Barachois ponds, akin to coastal lagoons, are recognized coastal wetlands in Nova Scotia, Canada, given their distinct ecosystem services, including provisioning, regulating, and cultural services. This study examines the current discourses around the management of barachois ponds and how an increased understanding of these perceptions held by stakeholders and managers might be used to better inform integrated management of these wetland ecosystems. A mixed-methods research design using Q methodology was employed to acquire data on social perceptions surrounding the management of barachois ponds fringing the Bras d’Or Lake in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada. Four dominant perspectives were identified: the leave-them-be conservationists, the sustainable developers, the management reformists, and the science-based conservationists. Six key issue themes emerged based on an in-depth examination of these different perspectives and Q sort data. This study found that an increased awareness of the ecological, social, and cultural values attributed to barachois ponds by key stakeholders could play a critical role in better informing wetland management decision-making in Nova Scotia and elsewhere.

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