Restoration of Cystoseira macroalgal FORESTs to enhance biodiversity along Mediterranean rocky REEFs

Introduction

REEForest LIFE aims to reverse the degradation of the endangered Cystoseira Habitat 1170 by implementing active restoration and setting up monitoring plans in 4 marine protected areas (Italy: Sinis Peninsula, Cilento National Park, Bergeggi Island; Greece: Gyaros Island) where the causes of degradation have been addressed.

Background

Macroalgal forests, one of the most productive and valuable habitats in the Mediterranean, are presently rapidly being lost because of direct and indirect human impacts. Due to their role in supporting biodiversity, their loss is leading to a decline in critical ecosystem services and a reduction in the ability of the oceans to sequester carbon dioxide and contribute to climate change mitigation. For these reasons, prompt conservation and restoration efforts are needed, also in the context of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030).

Project Goals

Capitalizing on the outcomes of ROC-POP LIFE, the project will restore the ecological status in the target MPAs through the implementation of specific conservation measures and cost-effective/sustainable reforestation activities (i.e. ex-situ and in-situ recruitment enhancement).

Additional Objectives

In addition, REEForest will:

• Provide concrete and robust methods that can be used to replicate and scale up restoration activities in other areas and with other species.
• Propose Guidelines for Mediterranean marine forest restoration that are relevant to EU policies, and support researchers and stakeholders to take correct decisions considering cost-effectiveness, ecological conditions, and potential threats.
• Raise awareness among citizens and stakeholders on the loss of marine forests in the Mediterranean Sea.
• Promote knowledge replicability on the conservation, management, and restoration of Cystoseira habitat through training, capacity building, and "decision support" in at least 14 MPAs (Natura2000) and support MPA management bodies to formally adopt and update their management plans by including Cystoseira as a biodiversity target.