Scientific watch

Understanding how no-take zones (NTZs) shape the population dynamics of key herbivores is crucial for the conservation and management of temperate benthic communities. This study assessed the recovery patterns of sea urchin populations following a high-density storm inside and outside

Recently, a mass mortality event impacting the bivalve Pinna nobilis was detected across a wide geographical area of the Spanish Mediterranean Sea and linked to a haplosporidian parasite. In 2017-2018, mass mortality events affecting the pen shell Pinna nobilis were

The fan mussel Pinna nobilis is an emblematic marine bivalve endemic to the Mediterranean Sea. This species is being worryingly impacted by a mass mortality event caused by a haplosporidian parasite (Haplosporidium pinnae). This study aimed to develop species-specific quantitative

The Hellenic Trench is core habitat for the eastern Mediterranean sperm whale sub-population, which is believed to number no more than two to three hundred individuals. The Mediterranean sperm whale population is listed as “Endangered” by the IUCN and is

Marine systems have been severely affected in recent years by mass mortality events related to positive thermal anomalies. Although the immediate effects of warming-related mortality in species’ demography are well known, the mid- to long-term effects at the community level

Coralline algae represent the most important bioconstructors in the Mediterranean Sea and are currently impaired by the effects of climate change, particularly by global warming and ocean acidification. This study assessed the effects of warming and acidification on Ellisolandia elongata,

Coralligenous reefs represent one of the most important coastal ecosystems of the Mediterranean Sea, and their ecological quality must be assessed under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive to evaluate seafloor integrity. This study reviewed existing methods used to study shallow

The global ocean has warmed substantially over the past century, with far-reaching implications for marine ecosystems. Concurrent with long-term persistent warming, discrete periods of extreme regional ocean warming (marine heatwaves, MHWs) have increased in frequency. This study quantified trends and

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) represent the main tool for halting the loss of marine biodiversity. However, there are increasing concerns on their limited capacity to reduce or eliminate some threats even within their own boundaries. This study analyzed a Europe-wide

Marine litter and plastic litter in particular, represent a significant potential risk for marine ecosystems. In the marine realm, plastic litter distribution depends mostly on its different sources, from municipal waste-water effluents, to cosmetic products, agriculture and many other human