Conserving Marine Forests: Assessing the Effectiveness of a Marine Protected Area for <i>Cystoseira sensu lato</i> Populations in the Central Mediterranean Sea
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are vital for biodiversity conservation, yet their effectiveness in preserving foundation seaweeds remains understudied. This study investigates the diversity and distribution of <i>Cystoseira sensu lato</i> (including <i>Cystoseira</i>, <i>...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Plants |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/13/2/162 |
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| author | Francesco Paolo Mancuso Gianluca Sarà Anna Maria Mannino |
| author_facet | Francesco Paolo Mancuso Gianluca Sarà Anna Maria Mannino |
| author_sort | Francesco Paolo Mancuso |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are vital for biodiversity conservation, yet their effectiveness in preserving foundation seaweeds remains understudied. This study investigates the diversity and distribution of <i>Cystoseira sensu lato</i> (including <i>Cystoseira</i>, <i>Ericaria,</i> and <i>Gongolaria</i>, hereafter referred to as <i>Cystoseira s.l.</i>) populations in an MPA located in the central Mediterranean Sea, comparing them with those in two unprotected sites. We hypothesized MPA <i>Cystoseira s.l.</i> populations would display higher diversity and structure compared to outside unprotected sites. Results revealed a total of 19 <i>Cystoseira s.l.</i> species at depths of 0–20 m, with the MPA exhibiting a higher diversity than unprotected sites. Thus, MPAs can play a crucial role in fostering the diversity of <i>Cystoseira s.l.</i> populations. However, no significant differences were observed among the MPA’s protection zones, raising questions about the zoning effectiveness. Additionally, our survey uncovered a substantial presence of non-indigenous seaweeds within the MPA. In conclusions, while MPAs improved <i>Cystoseira s.l.</i> diversity compared to unprotected sites, the varying efficacy of protection within MPA zones suggested a necessity for site-specific conservation strategies. The presence of non-indigenous seaweeds emphasizes ongoing challenges. This study provides a baseline for understanding <i>Cystoseira s.l.</i> population dynamics, crucial for future monitoring and conservation efforts in the face of global change. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T09:49:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ef9bae9542c943f29134463abc3a172c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2223-7747 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T09:49:15Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Plants |
| spelling | doaj.art-ef9bae9542c943f29134463abc3a172c2024-01-29T14:10:38ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472024-01-0113216210.3390/plants13020162Conserving Marine Forests: Assessing the Effectiveness of a Marine Protected Area for <i>Cystoseira sensu lato</i> Populations in the Central Mediterranean SeaFrancesco Paolo Mancuso0Gianluca Sarà1Anna Maria Mannino2Department of Earth and Marine Sciences (DiSTeM), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, ItalyDepartment of Earth and Marine Sciences (DiSTeM), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, ItalyNBFC—National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133 Palermo, ItalyMarine Protected Areas (MPAs) are vital for biodiversity conservation, yet their effectiveness in preserving foundation seaweeds remains understudied. This study investigates the diversity and distribution of <i>Cystoseira sensu lato</i> (including <i>Cystoseira</i>, <i>Ericaria,</i> and <i>Gongolaria</i>, hereafter referred to as <i>Cystoseira s.l.</i>) populations in an MPA located in the central Mediterranean Sea, comparing them with those in two unprotected sites. We hypothesized MPA <i>Cystoseira s.l.</i> populations would display higher diversity and structure compared to outside unprotected sites. Results revealed a total of 19 <i>Cystoseira s.l.</i> species at depths of 0–20 m, with the MPA exhibiting a higher diversity than unprotected sites. Thus, MPAs can play a crucial role in fostering the diversity of <i>Cystoseira s.l.</i> populations. However, no significant differences were observed among the MPA’s protection zones, raising questions about the zoning effectiveness. Additionally, our survey uncovered a substantial presence of non-indigenous seaweeds within the MPA. In conclusions, while MPAs improved <i>Cystoseira s.l.</i> diversity compared to unprotected sites, the varying efficacy of protection within MPA zones suggested a necessity for site-specific conservation strategies. The presence of non-indigenous seaweeds emphasizes ongoing challenges. This study provides a baseline for understanding <i>Cystoseira s.l.</i> population dynamics, crucial for future monitoring and conservation efforts in the face of global change.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/13/2/162macroalgal distribution<i>Cystoseira sensu lato</i><i>Cystoseira</i><i>Ericaria</i><i>Gongolaria</i>biodiversity conservation |
| spellingShingle | Francesco Paolo Mancuso Gianluca Sarà Anna Maria Mannino Conserving Marine Forests: Assessing the Effectiveness of a Marine Protected Area for <i>Cystoseira sensu lato</i> Populations in the Central Mediterranean Sea Plants macroalgal distribution <i>Cystoseira sensu lato</i> <i>Cystoseira</i> <i>Ericaria</i> <i>Gongolaria</i> biodiversity conservation |
| title | Conserving Marine Forests: Assessing the Effectiveness of a Marine Protected Area for <i>Cystoseira sensu lato</i> Populations in the Central Mediterranean Sea |
| title_full | Conserving Marine Forests: Assessing the Effectiveness of a Marine Protected Area for <i>Cystoseira sensu lato</i> Populations in the Central Mediterranean Sea |
| title_fullStr | Conserving Marine Forests: Assessing the Effectiveness of a Marine Protected Area for <i>Cystoseira sensu lato</i> Populations in the Central Mediterranean Sea |
| title_full_unstemmed | Conserving Marine Forests: Assessing the Effectiveness of a Marine Protected Area for <i>Cystoseira sensu lato</i> Populations in the Central Mediterranean Sea |
| title_short | Conserving Marine Forests: Assessing the Effectiveness of a Marine Protected Area for <i>Cystoseira sensu lato</i> Populations in the Central Mediterranean Sea |
| title_sort | conserving marine forests assessing the effectiveness of a marine protected area for i cystoseira sensu lato i populations in the central mediterranean sea |
| topic | macroalgal distribution <i>Cystoseira sensu lato</i> <i>Cystoseira</i> <i>Ericaria</i> <i>Gongolaria</i> biodiversity conservation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/13/2/162 |
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