Conserving Marine Forests: Assessing the Effectiveness of a Marine Protected Area for Cystoseira sensu lato Populations in the Central Mediterranean Sea.

ABSTRACT: Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are vital for biodiversity conservation, yet their effectiveness in preserving foundation seaweeds remains understudied. This study investigates the diversity and distribution of Cystoseira sensu lato (including Cystoseira, Ericaria, and Gongolaria, hereafter referred to as Cystoseira s.l.) populations in an MPA located in the central Mediterranean Sea, comparing them with those in two unprotected sites. We hypothesized MPA Cystoseira s.l. populations would display higher diversity and structure compared to outside unprotected sites. Results revealed a total of 19 Cystoseira s.l. species at depths of 0-20 m, with the MPA exhibiting a higher diversity than unprotected sites. Thus, MPAs can play a crucial role in

SUBMITTER: Mancuso FP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10819874 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature