What are we protecting? An analysis of the current conservation framework addressing Mediterranean mesophotic habitats
Mesophotic ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea are biodiversity hotspots distributed from ca 30 m down to 180 m, depending upon the depth of the light compensation point. Overall, the taxonomic composition of Mediterranean mesophotic ecosystems is dominated by corals and sponges, with subordinate br...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-11-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Environmental Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2022.1009033/full |
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| author | G. Castellan M. Abbiati M. Abbiati M. Abbiati L. Angeletti F. Foglini V. Grande P. Montagna P. Montagna M. Taviani M. Taviani |
| author_facet | G. Castellan M. Abbiati M. Abbiati M. Abbiati L. Angeletti F. Foglini V. Grande P. Montagna P. Montagna M. Taviani M. Taviani |
| author_sort | G. Castellan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Mesophotic ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea are biodiversity hotspots distributed from ca 30 m down to 180 m, depending upon the depth of the light compensation point. Overall, the taxonomic composition of Mediterranean mesophotic ecosystems is dominated by corals and sponges, with subordinate bryozoans, mollusks, ascidians, and shade-adapted algae. As for most marine ecosystems, the mesophotic habitats are increasingly exposed to natural and anthropogenic threats, including seawater-temperature rise, more intense and frequent heat waves, progressive ocean acidification, fishing activities, and littering. The establishment of effective governance guidelines is, therefore, the necessary rationale to guarantee the good environmental status of such widespread, highly diverse, service-provider natural resources. However, an in-depth quantification of the extent to which Mediterranean mesophotic habitats and taxa are included in conservation measures is lacking. In this article, we review the available literature information on mesophotic habitats in the Mediterranean Sea to evaluate the efficiency of the current legislative framework in providing instruments to protect this natural heritage. Our analysis allows identifying gaps in the current conservation network, ultimately suggesting functional integrative actions for effective conservation measures and the long-term survival of the Mediterranean mesophotic ecosystems. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T08:29:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bcc1baae0a2d48aeaf05b39c2152766a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-665X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T08:29:21Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Environmental Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-bcc1baae0a2d48aeaf05b39c2152766a2022-12-22T04:34:36ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Environmental Science2296-665X2022-11-011010.3389/fenvs.2022.10090331009033What are we protecting? An analysis of the current conservation framework addressing Mediterranean mesophotic habitatsG. Castellan0M. Abbiati1M. Abbiati2M. Abbiati3L. Angeletti4F. Foglini5V. Grande6P. Montagna7P. Montagna8M. Taviani9M. Taviani10Institute of Marine Sciences, National Research Council (CNR-ISMAR), Bologna, ItalyInstitute of Marine Sciences, National Research Council (CNR-ISMAR), Bologna, ItalyDipartimento Dei Beni Culturali, Università di Bologna, Ravenna, ItalyConsorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze Del Mare (CoNISMa), Roma, ItalyInstitute of Marine Sciences, National Research Council (CNR-ISMAR), Bologna, ItalyInstitute of Marine Sciences, National Research Council (CNR-ISMAR), Bologna, ItalyInstitute of Marine Sciences, National Research Council (CNR-ISMAR), Bologna, ItalyInstitute of Polar Sciences, National Research Council (CNR-ISP), Bologna, ItalyLamont Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, Palisades, NY, United StatesInstitute of Marine Sciences, National Research Council (CNR-ISMAR), Bologna, ItalyStazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, ItalyMesophotic ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea are biodiversity hotspots distributed from ca 30 m down to 180 m, depending upon the depth of the light compensation point. Overall, the taxonomic composition of Mediterranean mesophotic ecosystems is dominated by corals and sponges, with subordinate bryozoans, mollusks, ascidians, and shade-adapted algae. As for most marine ecosystems, the mesophotic habitats are increasingly exposed to natural and anthropogenic threats, including seawater-temperature rise, more intense and frequent heat waves, progressive ocean acidification, fishing activities, and littering. The establishment of effective governance guidelines is, therefore, the necessary rationale to guarantee the good environmental status of such widespread, highly diverse, service-provider natural resources. However, an in-depth quantification of the extent to which Mediterranean mesophotic habitats and taxa are included in conservation measures is lacking. In this article, we review the available literature information on mesophotic habitats in the Mediterranean Sea to evaluate the efficiency of the current legislative framework in providing instruments to protect this natural heritage. Our analysis allows identifying gaps in the current conservation network, ultimately suggesting functional integrative actions for effective conservation measures and the long-term survival of the Mediterranean mesophotic ecosystems.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2022.1009033/fullmarine conservationbiodiversitypolicymesophotic ecosystemsmonitoringMediterranean Sea |
| spellingShingle | G. Castellan M. Abbiati M. Abbiati M. Abbiati L. Angeletti F. Foglini V. Grande P. Montagna P. Montagna M. Taviani M. Taviani What are we protecting? An analysis of the current conservation framework addressing Mediterranean mesophotic habitats Frontiers in Environmental Science marine conservation biodiversity policy mesophotic ecosystems monitoring Mediterranean Sea |
| title | What are we protecting? An analysis of the current conservation framework addressing Mediterranean mesophotic habitats |
| title_full | What are we protecting? An analysis of the current conservation framework addressing Mediterranean mesophotic habitats |
| title_fullStr | What are we protecting? An analysis of the current conservation framework addressing Mediterranean mesophotic habitats |
| title_full_unstemmed | What are we protecting? An analysis of the current conservation framework addressing Mediterranean mesophotic habitats |
| title_short | What are we protecting? An analysis of the current conservation framework addressing Mediterranean mesophotic habitats |
| title_sort | what are we protecting an analysis of the current conservation framework addressing mediterranean mesophotic habitats |
| topic | marine conservation biodiversity policy mesophotic ecosystems monitoring Mediterranean Sea |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2022.1009033/full |
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