Seagrass meadows (Posidonia oceanica) distribution and trajectories of change

• DOI: 10.1038/srep12505
• Publication Date: 2015-07-28T09:37:19Z
• Authors: Luca Telesca; Andrea Belluscio; Alessandro Criscoli; Giandomenico Ardi...; Eugenia T. Aposto...; Simonetta Fraschetti; Michele Gristina; Leyla Knittweis; Corinne S. Martin; Gérard Pergent; Adriana Alagna; Fabio Badalamenti; Germana Garofalo; Vasilis Gerakaris; Marie Louise Pace; Christine Pergent...; Maria Salomidi
• Keywords: Posidonia oceanica; Mediterranean Basin

Abstract Posidonia oceanica meadows are declining at alarming rates due to climate change and human activities. Although P. is considered the most important well-studied seagrass species of Mediterranean Sea, date there has been a limited effort combine all spatial information available provide complete distribution across basin. The aim this work fine-scale assessment (i) current historical known , (ii) total area (iii) magnitude regressive phenomena in last decades. outcomes showed covering 1,224,707 ha highlighted lack relevant data part basin (21,471 linear km coastline). estimated regression amounted 34% 50 years, showing that generalised phenomenon had be mainly ascribed cumulative effects multiple local stressors. Our results importance enforcing surveys assess status prioritize areas where cost-effective schemes for threats reduction, capable reversing present patterns ensuring persistence scale, could implemented.