Scientific watch

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are key tools to mitigate human impacts in coastal environments, promoting sustainable activities to conserve biodiversity. However, the designation of MPAs alone may not result in the lessening of some human threats, which is highly dependent

For marine meta-populations with source-sink dynamics knowledge about genetic connectivity is important to conserve biodiversity and design marine protected areas (MPAs). This study evaluated genetic connectivity of a Mediterranean endangered species, Pinna nobilis. Using genetics, the authors evaluated phylogeographical patterns

Global warming is facilitating the poleward range expansion of plant and animal species. In the Mediterranean Sea, the concurrent temperature increase and abundance of (sub)tropical non-indigenous species (NIS) is leading to the so-called tropicalization of the Mediterranean Sea, while the

The collection of biological information, including data gathered in the field, is fundamental to improve our understanding of how human impacts on biological systems can be recognized, mitigated or averted. However, the role of empirical field research has faded appreciably

The availability of marine habitats maps remains limited due to difficulty and cost of working at sea. Many important habitats types, such as Mediterranean coralligenous reefs, remain still insufficiently known. This study used predictive spatial modelling to produce benthic habitat

The California’s Life Protection Act is a recent high-profile initiative that led to the implementation of a network of 124 marine protected areas (MPAs) encompassing 16% of state waters. While the initiative has been described as a success in terms

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are used as tools to increase marine biodiversity and their concomitant ecosystem services that benefit human wellbeing. Therefore, it is important to assess whether they are in fact delivering socioeconomic benefits to the surrounding communities beyond

The dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus is a large-body fish species playing important ecological roles in rocky bottom ecosystems throughout its wide geographical distribution. Dusky grouper populations across their range are declining due to overfishing and the species is currently classified

Underwater visual census (UVC) is the most common approach for estimating diversity, abundance and size of reef fishes in shallow and clear waters. Abundance estimation through UVC is particularly problematic in species occurring at low densities and/or highly aggregated because

The damselfish Chromis chromis is typically the most abundant fish species in the rocky littoral environment of the Mediterranean Sea, where it feeds in huge shoals on incoming zooplankton and rests near the seabed each night. This species has a