Habitat mapping in the European Seas - is it fit for purpose in the marine restoration agenda?

Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Smith, Christopher J.; Sevastou, Katerina; Papadopoulou, Nadia; Dailianis, Thanos; Bekkby, Trine; Fiorentino, Dario; McOwen, Chris; Amaro, Teresa; Bengil, Elizabeth Grace Tunka; Bilan, Meri; Boström, Christoffer; Carreiro-Silva, Marina; Cebrián, Emma; Cerrano, Carlo; Danovaro, Roberto; Fraschetti, Simonetta; Gagnon, Karine; Gambi, Cristina; Grehan, Anthony; Hereu, Bernat; Kipson, Silvija; Kotta, Jonne; Linares, Cristina; Morato, Telmo; Ojaveer, Henn; Orav‐Kotta, Helen; Sarà, Antonio; Scrimgeour, Rachael

doi:10.1016/j.marpol.2019.103521

Cited by 30 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Data deficiency over large areas is, however, only one aspect limiting information at a basin scale. Differences in habitat classification systems, monitoring methods and threshold levels adopted by different countries hinder the assessment and reporting of ecosystem degradation (Gerovasileiou et al, 2019). In well-studied areas, such as the western Mediterranean, the plethora of indicators used (Teixeira et al, 2016) makes comparisons difficult, impairing the potential to obtain a reliable and extensive picture of the situation of the main benthic ecosystems.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Status of Coastal Benthic Ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea: Evidence From Ecological Indicators

et al. 2020

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The Mediterranean Sea is subject to multiple human pressures increasingly threatening its unique biodiversity. Spatially explicit information on the ecological status of marine ecosystems is therefore key to an effective maritime spatial planning and management, and to help the achievement of environmental targets. Here, we summarized scientific data on the ecological status of a selection of marine ecosystems based on a set of ecological indicators in more than 700 sites of the Mediterranean Sea. For Posidonia oceanica seagrass beds, rocky intertidal fringe, and coastal soft bottoms, more than 70% of investigated sites exhibited good to high ecological conditions. In contrast, about two-thirds of sites for subtidal rocky reefs were classified to be in moderate to bad conditions, stressing the need for prioritizing conservation initiatives on these productive and diverse environments. Very little quantitative information was available for the southern Mediterranean Sea, thus monitoring programs and assessments in this area are essential for a representative assessment of the health of marine coastal ecosystems in the whole basin. This overview represents a first step to implement a baseline that, through georeferenced data on ecological status, could help identifying information gaps, directing future research priorities, and supporting improvements to spatial models of expected cumulative impacts on marine ecosystems.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Status of Coastal Benthic Ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea: Evidence From Ecological Indicators

et al. 2020

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“…In spatially less extensive areas, however, a complete inventory may be possible (although quantitative estimates abundance probably would require subsampling). Considering the accelerating threats of habitat destruction, climate change, and invasive non‐native species in the marine environment, the need for such approaches is likely to be increasingly urgent also in a wider context (Airoldi & Beck, 2007; Beck et al., 2011; Gerovasileiou et al., 2019; Lotze et al., 2006; Ruesink et al., 2005).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identifying high‐density areas of oysters using species distribution modeling: Lessons for conservation of the native Ostrea edulis and management of the invasive Magallana (Crassostrea) gigas in Sweden

Bergström

Thorngren

Strand

et al. 2021

Ecology and Evolution

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“…This mismatch could sometimes relate to a lack of knowledge (Greathead et al, 2020, and references therein). Detailed information on the distribution of the species in need of protection and on habitat mapping are essential to develop effective environmental management plans, for either conservation or restoration (Gerovasileiou et al, 2019; Jetz et al, 2012). Studies for this purpose are particularly rare in the case of invertebrates, sponges in particular.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

You cannot conserve a species that has not been found: The case of the marine sponge Axinella polypoides in Liguria, Italy

Azzola

Bavestrello

Bertolino

et al. 2021

Aquatic Conservation

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Detailed knowledge about the distribution of species in need of protection is required for the management of Marine Protected Areas, a major tool to reduce marine biodiversity loss. Such knowledge is deficient for most marine invertebrates. Axinella polypoides is a marine sponge included on the list of protected species by the Barcelona Convention (1976) and the Bern Convention (1987). This large and erect species has an important ecological role in habitat forming and benthic–pelagic coupling. Bathymetrical, geographical and ecological data over the last 60 years were collated from publications and reports, together with new surveys to assess the distribution and protection status in Liguria of A. polypoides. It identified a more widespread distribution than previously thought, which points at a general need for dedicated investigations on the occurrence of species that require protection. Bathymetrical distribution was trimodal, with peaks corresponding to different geomorphological settings: coastal cliff bases (around 38 m depth), inner shelf shoals (52 m) and rocks amidst coarse sediment on the outer shelf (79 m). Density was significantly greater at the shallowest depths. The species was mostly found in the coralligenous biocoenosis, in association with other characteristic species or forming a monospecific facies. On (sub)vertical cliffs, A. polypoides often exhibited an unusual cane shape, rather than the typical bushy morphology, thus causing confusion with the congeneric A. cannabina, a more southern species. Records of the latter in the Ligurian Sea therefore need confirmation. Only a minority (22.6%) of A. polypoides records were in Marine Protected Areas, the remainder being located in areas with no current environmental protection plans in place. While the occurrence of this species in MPAs remained stable over the decades, the only quantitative historical data available indicated that populations in non‐protected areas were declining owing to anthropogenic impacts (fishing and anchoring).

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Habitat mapping in the European Seas - is it fit for purpose in the marine restoration agenda?

Cited by 30 publications

References 39 publications

The Status of Coastal Benthic Ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea: Evidence From Ecological Indicators

The Status of Coastal Benthic Ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea: Evidence From Ecological Indicators

Identifying high‐density areas of oysters using species distribution modeling: Lessons for conservation of the native Ostrea edulis and management of the invasive Magallana (Crassostrea) gigas in Sweden

You cannot conserve a species that has not been found: The case of the marine sponge Axinella polypoides in Liguria, Italy

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