A combined approach to assessing the conservation status of Cap des Trois Fourches as a potential MPA: is there a shortage of MPAs in the southern Mediterranean?

Abstract

The Mediterranean basin is recognized as one of the most diverse regions on the planet, but is being threatened by overexploitation and habitat loss. Furthermore, the Strait of Gibraltar and adjacent Alboran Sea have been identified as representing an important habitat for many threatened or endangered species. In this context, one vehicle for marine conservation is the creation of marine protected sites, although Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are neither large nor representative enough to form an effective network of protection. An inventory of the benthic communities and habitats of conservation interest has been carried out in Cap des Trois Fourches, an ecological and biogeographical site of interest. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed differences for marine communities among habitats and localities, indicating a great diversity in marine assemblages but an absence of a spatial gradient in marine α-diversity. The Trois Fourches area showed a high environmental quality and hosted several endangered species. Habitats of conservation concern, such as marine caves, seagrass meadows and coralligenous assemblages, were detected and studied. The scientific data recorded provide sound support for the establishment of a new MPA in Trois Fourches, taking into account that the findings match the scientific criteria required for declaration as a protected area. The benefits for connectivity at the Mediterranean scale and the local economy are discussed.

Evaluating the vulnerability of coralligenous epifauna to macroalgal invasions

“…Moreover, coralligenous outcrops in this area are considerably shallower than in other Mediterranean locations (e.g. insular areas, eastern Mediterranean), where the higher water transparency results in a displacement of their bathymetric range of distribution to deeper waters (Ballesteros, 2006;Urra et al, 2012;Espinosa et al, 2014). This is also the region where…”

“…Moreover, coralligenous outcrops in this area are considerably shallower than in other Mediterranean locations (e.g. insular areas, eastern Mediterranean), where the higher water transparency results in a displacement of their bathymetric range of distribution to deeper waters (Ballesteros, 2006; Urra et al, 2012; Espinosa et al, 2014). This is also the region where R. okamurae was first reported in the Strait of Gibraltar and shows the highest coverage; over 70% dominance on hard substrata between 0 and 30 m depth (Altamirano, de la Rosa Álamos & Martínez Medina, 2016; García‐Gómez et al, 2020b).…”

Review on Pinna Rudis (Linnaeus, 1758) (Bivalvia: Pinnidae) Presence in the Mediterranean

“…In Marocco waters P. rudis is mentioned by (Espinosa et al, 2014; in Cap des Trois Fourches (Northern Marocco). Espinosa et al (2014) did characterizing of the marine biodiversity in Cap des Trois Fourches, while Espinosa et al (2015) gave spatial distribution of dominant assemblages in order to allow the implementation of MPA in the Cap des Trois Fourches. In both studies P. rudis was listed as endangered species present in this area.…”