Levelling-up rhodolith-bed science to address global-scale conservation challenges

Tuya, Fernando; Schubert, Nadine; Aguirre, Julio; Basso, Daniela; Bastos, Eduardo; Berchez, Flávio Augusto de Souza; Bernardino, Ângelo F.; Bosch, Néstor E.; Burdett, Heidi L.; Espino, Fernando; Fernández‐García, Cindy; Francini‐Filho, Ronaldo B.; Gagnon, Patrick; Hall-Spencer, Jason M.; Haroun, Ricardo; Hofmann, Laurie C.; Horta, Paulo Antunes; Kamenos, Nicholas A.; Gall, Line Le; Magris, Rafael A.; Martin, Sophie; Nelson, Wendy A.; Neves, Pedro; Olivé, Irene; Otero‐Ferrer, Francisco; Peña, Viviana; Pereira-Filho, Guilherme H.; Ragazzola, Federica; Rebelo, Ana Cristina; Ribeiro, Cláudia; Rinde, Eli; Schoenrock, Kathryn M.; Silva, João; Sissini, Marina Nasri; Tâmega, Frederico Tapajós de Souza

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164818

Cited by 35 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 170 publications

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“…Picard (1965) was one of the first to highlight Mediterranean rhodolith beds as a hotspot of biodiversity. Subsequently, numerous other studies stressed the ecological importance and need for conservation of rhodolith beds, in view of their contribution to productivity and the high degree of species and trophic group diversity they support (Barberá et al, 2003;Tuya et al, 2023). The high structural complexity of this habitat enhances the provision of shelter, food and nursery function for a number of species, several of which are of high commercial importance.…”

Section: Ecological Importance Threats and Legal Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition to this, rhodolith beds are also known to play a critical role in climate regulation since they are important centres for carbonate production and potentially act as a carbon sink (Martin & Gattuso, 2009;van der Heijden & Kamenos, 2017; but see Macreadie et al, 2017). They are now considered to be of ecological importance on a global scale, providing several ecosystem services such as biodiversity provision and climate change mitigation, but which require increased research efforts in order to facilitate development of effective conservation measures (Tuya et al, 2023).…”

Section: Ecological Importance Threats and Legal Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Habitat characterization, anthropogenic impacts and conservation of rhodolith beds off southeastern Malta

Tabone,

Knittweis,

Aguilar

et al. 2024

Aquatic Conservation

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Rhodolith beds, including maerl, are structurally complex perennial habitats that support a high species diversity but are threatened by numerous human activities, particularly in the Mediterranean Sea. Despite their global ecological importance, increased research efforts are needed to facilitate development of effective measures to conserve these habitats. Two areas hosting rhodolith beds are known to occur off the coast of Malta (central Mediterranean), but only one has been previously studied. Through analysis of video footage collected from 56 different stations coupled with a desk study on human activities, the present study characterized the rhodolith bed located off the southeastern coast of Malta, including its extent, rhodolith morphotype composition, associated megabiota and impacts of anthropogenic activities thereon. The bed occurred at depths of 60–95 m and covered an area of approximately 200 km2, making it the second most extensive rhodolith area reported for the Mediterranean to date. It was dominated by spherical and branched rhodoliths whose cover reached a maximum of 74% but was more often <50%, similar to other Mediterranean rhodolith beds. A total of 84 different megafaunal species were recorded, suggesting that the diversity of megafauna associated with rhodolith bed habitats has been previously underestimated. A number of human activities, including extensive vessel anchoring and officially designated areas for aquaculture, bunkering and trawling, overlap with the mapped rhodolith distribution, highlighting the risk of habitat degradation. A holistic approach to the management of all the competing activities and interests relative to the southeastern coast of Malta that gives due consideration to this newly characterized rhodolith bed and the threats it faces is therefore recommended. The legal framework and policy recommendations for better conservation of rhodolith bed habitats in the Mediterranean and European Seas are also discussed.

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Section: Ecological Importance Threats and Legal Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Ecological Importance Threats and Legal Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitat characterization, anthropogenic impacts and conservation of rhodolith beds off southeastern Malta

Tabone,

Knittweis,

Aguilar

et al. 2024

Aquatic Conservation

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“…Maerl is a seabed habitat made up of coralline algae thalli that grow unattached to substrata (Figure 1). Maerl habitats occur worldwide and have high ecological, socio-economic and cultural value but are far less well known or studied than habitats such as coral reefs, kelp forests or seagrass beds (Tuya et al, 2023). This habitat harbours high biodiversity and provides nursery areas for commercially valuable species such as cod and scallops and spawning areas for herring (Hall-Spencer, 2023).…”

Section: Maerl Conservation In Scotlandmentioning

confidence: 99%

The importance of public engagement for maerl conservation: Insights from Scotland

Hall‐Spencer,

Rasmusson

2024

Aquatic Conservation

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“…The associated fauna consists mainly of small annelids, crustaceans, molluscs, nematodes, and other groups that use rhodoliths for hiding and feeding (Figueiredo et al, 2007; Costa et al, 2019; Otero‐Ferrer et al, 2019; Sánchez‐Latorre et al, 2020; Neto et al, 2021; Stelzer et al, 2021). RBs can also serve as nursery grounds for several commercial species, such as clams and scallops (Kamenos, Moore & Hall‐Spencer, 2004; Foster et al, 2013; Pereira & da Gama Bahia, 2021; Tuya et al, 2023).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Invertebrate diversity associated with a shallow rhodolith bed in the Mediterranean Sea (Mar Piccolo of Taranto, south‐east Italy)

Pierri,

Longo,

Falace

et al. 2024

Aquatic Conservation

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Rhodoliths, formed by free‐living coralline algae, are distributed worldwide, and the rhodolith beds (RBs) that they form are recognized as structurally complex habitats. In the Mediterranean, they are generally distributed in the mesophotic zone, at depths of 30–100 m; so far, only a few shallow RBs (<2 m) have been reported (e.g. Îles Kuriat, Tunisia, and Stagnone Marsala, Italy). Here a shallow‐water RB located in the Mar Piccolo of Taranto (south‐eastern Italy, Mediterranean Sea) is described. The diversity of associated invertebrates, the rhodolith‐forming algal species, the type of sediments, and the bed extent are characterized. The RB investigated extends over 5 ha at depths of 0.5–1.5 m. The rhodoliths vary in shape and size, from pralines to large spherical structures, and are formed by a single species, Neogoniolithon brassica‐florida, growing around nuclei of both natural and anthropogenic origin. The associated fauna consisted of 158 taxa, 79 (50%) of which were new basin records. The associated diversity was approximately twice that of the underlying and nearby sediments. The structural complexity of the RBs promotes biodiversity and provides shelter, food, and a breeding ground for numerous species, including seahorses, which are a conservation priority in this basin.

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Levelling-up rhodolith-bed science to address global-scale conservation challenges

Cited by 35 publications

References 170 publications

Habitat characterization, anthropogenic impacts and conservation of rhodolith beds off southeastern Malta

Habitat characterization, anthropogenic impacts and conservation of rhodolith beds off southeastern Malta

The importance of public engagement for maerl conservation: Insights from Scotland

Invertebrate diversity associated with a shallow rhodolith bed in the Mediterranean Sea (Mar Piccolo of Taranto, south‐east Italy)

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