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Publication
A survey-based assessment of seagrass status, management and legislation in Europe
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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Seagrass meadows are ranked amongst the most productive ecosystems on Earth,
providing high-value ecosystem services in coastal areas. Yet, seagrass habitats are
declining worldwide at an unprecedented rate as a consequence of both anthropogenic
and natural pressures, which suggests an inefficient management. Seagrasses are
widespread along European coasts and the knowledge on their conservation status and
management has been increased in the last decade although an overall view for the
whole Europe is lacking. The general aim of this survey-based study was to assess the
present status of seagrass habitat conservation, management and legislation in Europe
based on the expert judgement of 25 participants from 19 coastal European countries.
We specifically assessed the seagrass ecological status and their major threats; the level
of awareness; the effort in mapping, monitoring and restoration; and the state of
management plans and policy in each country. We furthermore reviewed the legislation
for seagrass habitats in order to assess the protection status of seagrasses in Europe.
The survey-based assessment revealed great differences among seagrass species and
countries regarding their awareness, ecological status, mapping, monitoring and
management. Several good examples of seagrass management, in cooperation with
scientists, were identified although many countries still lack the fundamental tools for a
proper management. A consistent body of legislation was compiled for most European
countries, yet their implementation was reported to be rather variable and weak. The
results of this study will provide guidelines for a more effective seagrass management
and policy in Europe.
Description
Keywords
Seagrass management Seagrass legislation Seagrass monitoring Zostera noltei Zostera marina Cymodocea nodosa Posidonia oceanica
Citation
De Los Santos C, Sigurðardóttir R, Cunha A, Cook K, Wiktor JM, Tatarek A and Santos R (2014). A survey-based assessment of seagrass status, management and legislation in Europe. Front. Mar. Sci. Conference Abstract: IMMR | International Meeting on Marine Research 2014. doi: 10.3389/conf.fmars.2014.02.00027
Publisher
Frontiers in Marine Sciences