Protection and restoration of Posidonia oceanica meadows
Description In the case of beach/coastal erosion, an important „defence role“ is played by seagrasses. Seagrasses entrap the sediment, stabilize the seafloor and thus, prevent erosion of the coasts. When seagrasses trap the sediment, the bottom gets shallower, and the waves break further away from the shoreline, resulting in less coastal erosion during storms. Seagrasses also slow […]
Risk-based zoning and siting for aquaculture
DESCRIPTION Aquaculture is a key sector for the blue economy in the Adriatic-Ionian Region, with a significant potential for increasing development. In the European Union Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) aquaculture is considered as one of the most promising activities of all coastal countries of the region. Despite this high potential, the […]
Diversification of fisheries and aquaculture products and systems
DESCRIPTION Marine ecosystems are already experiencing the redistribution of species and habitats due to the climate change and these changes are likely to be magnified in the future. Water warming and changes in terms of the primary production are found to directly influence nekton composition in the Northern Adriatic Sea, driving the decrease of species […]
Marine Protected Areas and Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures
DESCRIPTION IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, defines Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) as areas of the ocean set aside for long-term conservation of nature, with associated ecosystem services and cultural values. The most protective marine reserves prohibit all access except for scientific research, but in many other cases human presence is allowed, including, […]
Adaptive management of natural habitats
Description In terms of habitat creation and maintenance, there has been a decreasing trend at the global level over the last 50 years, based on the extent of suitable habitat and biodiversity intactness (IPBES, 2019). Habitat fragmentation and loss, compounded by environmental stressors, such as pollution, the spread of invasive species and overharvest, are lessening […]