Overview of recent work and access to online publications and resources
The role of healthy wetlands in fighting climate change
The new report developed by the ETC-UMA (University of Malaga), as partner of the European Topic Centre on Urban, Land and Soil Systems (ETC/ULS) has shed light on the role of healthy wetland habitats in the carbon cycle and the ...
A Mediterranean snapshot on what we have and how to protect it
The report on the State of the Environment and Development in the Mediterranean (SoED) published in November 2020 warns that the Mediterranean basin is facing escalating environmental and developmental challenges: warming 20% faster than other regions, with 78% of fishing stocks subject ...
Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystems and their Services: An EU ecosystem assessment
This report presents an ecosystem assessment covering the total land area of the EU as well as the EU marine regions. The assessment is carried out by Joint Research Centre, European Environment Agency, DG Environment, and the European Topic Centres ...
MedBioLitter: an open database on marine litter and biodiversity science
An open database and spatial geoportal on current scientific knowledge related to marine litter and biodiversity interactions in the Mediterranean region ...
Towards 2020: How Mediterranean countries are performing to protect their sea
Ongoing unsustainable fishing, tourism, plastic and chemical pollution, and a rapid coastal development are causing a dramatic decline and loss of marine species and the destruction of fragile habitats in the Mediterranean. The increasing effects of climate change and future ...
Protecting Our Ocean: Europe’s challenges to meet the 2020 deadlines
WWF & Sky Ocean Rescue present European and Member State decision makers with an assessment of the EU's progress to effectively protect at least 10% of its marine and coastal areas by 2020, in accordance with its commitments to the ...
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Journal Articles
Bevilacqua, S.; Katsanevakis, S.; Micheli, F.; Sala, E.; Rilov, G.; Sarà, G.; Abdul-Malak, D.; Abdulla, A.; Gerovasileiou, V.; Gissi, E.; Mazaris, A. D.; Pipitone, C.; Sini, M.; Stelzenmüller, V.; Terlizzi, A.; Todorova, V.; Fraschetti, S.
The Status of Coastal Benthic Ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea: Evidence From Ecological Indicators Journal Article
In: Frontiers in Marine Science, 2020.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Conservation and management, Ecosystem, Environmental conservation, Mediterranean sea
@article{Bevilacqua2020,
title = {The Status of Coastal Benthic Ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea: Evidence From Ecological Indicators},
author = {S. Bevilacqua and S. Katsanevakis and F. Micheli and E. Sala and G. Rilov and G. Sarà and D. Abdul-Malak and A. Abdulla and V. Gerovasileiou and E. Gissi and A. D. Mazaris and C. Pipitone and M. Sini and V. Stelzenmüller and A. Terlizzi and V. Todorova and S. Fraschetti},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.00475},
doi = {10.3389/fmars.2020.00475},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-06-19},
journal = {Frontiers in Marine Science},
abstract = {The Mediterranean Sea is subject to multiple human pressures increasingly threatening its unique biodiversity. Spatially explicit information on the ecological status of marine ecosystems is therefore key to an effective maritime spatial planning and management, and to help the achievement of environmental targets. Here, we summarized scientific data on the ecological status of a selection of marine ecosystems based on a set of ecological indicators in more than 700 sites of the Mediterranean Sea. For Posidonia oceanica seagrass beds, rocky intertidal fringe, and coastal soft bottoms, more than 70% of investigated sites exhibited good to high ecological conditions. In contrast, about two-thirds of sites for subtidal rocky reefs were classified to be in moderate to bad conditions, stressing the need for prioritizing conservation initiatives on these productive and diverse environments. Very little quantitative information was available for the southern Mediterranean Sea, thus monitoring programs and assessments in this area are essential for a representative assessment of the health of marine coastal ecosystems in the whole basin. This overview represents a first step to implement a baseline that, through georeferenced data on ecological status, could help identifying information gaps, directing future research priorities, and supporting improvements to spatial models of expected cumulative impacts on marine ecosystems.},
keywords = {Conservation and management, Ecosystem, Environmental conservation, Mediterranean sea},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The Mediterranean Sea is subject to multiple human pressures increasingly threatening its unique biodiversity. Spatially explicit information on the ecological status of marine ecosystems is therefore key to an effective maritime spatial planning and management, and to help the achievement of environmental targets. Here, we summarized scientific data on the ecological status of a selection of marine ecosystems based on a set of ecological indicators in more than 700 sites of the Mediterranean Sea. For Posidonia oceanica seagrass beds, rocky intertidal fringe, and coastal soft bottoms, more than 70% of investigated sites exhibited good to high ecological conditions. In contrast, about two-thirds of sites for subtidal rocky reefs were classified to be in moderate to bad conditions, stressing the need for prioritizing conservation initiatives on these productive and diverse environments. Very little quantitative information was available for the southern Mediterranean Sea, thus monitoring programs and assessments in this area are essential for a representative assessment of the health of marine coastal ecosystems in the whole basin. This overview represents a first step to implement a baseline that, through georeferenced data on ecological status, could help identifying information gaps, directing future research priorities, and supporting improvements to spatial models of expected cumulative impacts on marine ecosystems.
Rodríguez-Rodríguez, D.
Rapid assessment of protection and ecological effectiveness of the Spanish Fishing Reserve Network Journal Article
In: Marine Policy, vol. 90, pp. 29-36, 2018.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Conservation and management, Environmental conservation, Marine protected areas, Mediterranean sea, SOSTPARK
@article{Rodríguez-Rodríguez2018f,
title = {Rapid assessment of protection and ecological effectiveness of the Spanish Fishing Reserve Network},
author = {D. Rodríguez-Rodríguez},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2018.01.009},
doi = {10.1016/j.marpol.2018.01.009},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-02-13},
journal = {Marine Policy},
volume = {90},
pages = {29-36},
abstract = {Fishing Reserves (FRs) are primarily designated for the enhancement of local fisheries and, secondarily, for biodiversity conservation. In Spain, FRs are considered marine protected areas (MPAs) and included in the country's MPA network. MPAs’ ecological effectiveness is linked to a number of legal, managerial and bio-physical factors. With the amount of MPA area rapidly rising and conservation funds largely stagnant or decreasing, rapid, cost-effective MPA assessment techniques are becoming increasingly useful to verify fulfillment of global conservation targets and ascertain potential conservation effectiveness. Here, a rapid MPA protection assessment framework and one MPA ecological effectiveness framework were applied to the Spanish Network of 10 FRs (FRN): the MaPAF and NEOLI frameworks. The FRN was moderately legally protected, with over 50.5% of its area having three or more overlapping legal designations, but only 3.8% of the FRN's area being no-take. All FRs had management plans and active surveillance. According to MaPAF, Columbretes FR was the most highly legally protected whereas Cabo de Palos was the FR with the greatest managerial effort. Both rank highest in protection. In contrast, Masía Blanca FR and Alborán FR were the least legally protected whereas Alborán FR and Graciosa FR were the least managerially protected FRs of the FRN and rank the lowest in protection, respectively. According to the NEOLI framework, Columbretes would also be the most effective FR whereas Masía Blanca FR would be the least ecologically effective. These results can help to spur and better allocate conservation efforts across the fastly growing Spanish MPA network.},
keywords = {Conservation and management, Environmental conservation, Marine protected areas, Mediterranean sea, SOSTPARK},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Fishing Reserves (FRs) are primarily designated for the enhancement of local fisheries and, secondarily, for biodiversity conservation. In Spain, FRs are considered marine protected areas (MPAs) and included in the country's MPA network. MPAs’ ecological effectiveness is linked to a number of legal, managerial and bio-physical factors. With the amount of MPA area rapidly rising and conservation funds largely stagnant or decreasing, rapid, cost-effective MPA assessment techniques are becoming increasingly useful to verify fulfillment of global conservation targets and ascertain potential conservation effectiveness. Here, a rapid MPA protection assessment framework and one MPA ecological effectiveness framework were applied to the Spanish Network of 10 FRs (FRN): the MaPAF and NEOLI frameworks. The FRN was moderately legally protected, with over 50.5% of its area having three or more overlapping legal designations, but only 3.8% of the FRN's area being no-take. All FRs had management plans and active surveillance. According to MaPAF, Columbretes FR was the most highly legally protected whereas Cabo de Palos was the FR with the greatest managerial effort. Both rank highest in protection. In contrast, Masía Blanca FR and Alborán FR were the least legally protected whereas Alborán FR and Graciosa FR were the least managerially protected FRs of the FRN and rank the lowest in protection, respectively. According to the NEOLI framework, Columbretes would also be the most effective FR whereas Masía Blanca FR would be the least ecologically effective. These results can help to spur and better allocate conservation efforts across the fastly growing Spanish MPA network.
Rodríguez-Rodríguez, D.; Rodríguez, J.; Blanco, J María; Abdul-Malak, D.
Marine protected area design patterns in the Mediterranean Sea: Implications for conservation Journal Article
In: Marine Pollution Bulletin , vol. 110, no. 1, 2016.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Conservation and management, Marine protected areas, Mediterranean sea, Protected areas
@article{Rodríguez-Rodríguez2016,
title = {Marine protected area design patterns in the Mediterranean Sea: Implications for conservation},
author = {D. Rodríguez-Rodríguez and J. Rodríguez and J María Blanco and D. Abdul-Malak},
url = {https://www.researchgate.net/publication/304896823_Marine_protected_area_design_patterns_in_the_Mediterranean_Sea_Implications_for_conservation},
doi = {10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.06.044},
year = {2016},
date = {2016-10-01},
journal = {Marine Pollution Bulletin },
volume = {110},
number = {1},
abstract = {Mediterranean marine protected area (MPA) design patterns regarding geographic distribution, size, spacing and shape were analysed as a proxy of the region's MPA's ecological effectiveness and a first step towards an ecologically coherent MPA network. Results for legally designated MPAs and ecologically functional MPAs accounting for overlaps are presented. Geographically, Mediterranean MPA area is very unevenly distributed, with four-fifths concentrated in just three countries of the north-western part of the basin. Average distance between functional MPAs lies within recommended ecological thresholds, which suggests adequate potential connectivity of the Mediterranean MPA system. Mediterranean designated MPAs are larger than MPAs worldwide on average, although they are generally smaller than international guidance suggests at different levels: ecoregion, country and designation category. On average, Mediterranean designated and functional MPAs have relatively high compactness, which makes them prone to spillover and adequate viability, and less vulnerable to edge effects.},
keywords = {Conservation and management, Marine protected areas, Mediterranean sea, Protected areas},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Mediterranean marine protected area (MPA) design patterns regarding geographic distribution, size, spacing and shape were analysed as a proxy of the region's MPA's ecological effectiveness and a first step towards an ecologically coherent MPA network. Results for legally designated MPAs and ecologically functional MPAs accounting for overlaps are presented. Geographically, Mediterranean MPA area is very unevenly distributed, with four-fifths concentrated in just three countries of the north-western part of the basin. Average distance between functional MPAs lies within recommended ecological thresholds, which suggests adequate potential connectivity of the Mediterranean MPA system. Mediterranean designated MPAs are larger than MPAs worldwide on average, although they are generally smaller than international guidance suggests at different levels: ecoregion, country and designation category. On average, Mediterranean designated and functional MPAs have relatively high compactness, which makes them prone to spillover and adequate viability, and less vulnerable to edge effects.
Rodriguez-Rodriguez, D.; J. Rodriguez,; Abdul-Malak, D.
In: Journal of Environmental Management, vol. 167, pp. 29-37, 2016.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Conservation and management, Marine protected areas, Mediterranean sea, Protected areas
@article{Rodriguez-Rodriguez2016b,
title = {Development and testing of a new framework for rapidly assessing legal and managerial protection afforded by marine protected areas: Mediterranean Sea case study},
author = {D. Rodriguez-Rodriguez and J. Rodriguez, and D. Abdul-Malak},
url = {https://www.researchgate.net/publication/284358773_Development_and_testing_of_a_new_framework_for_rapidly_assessing_legal_and_managerial_protection_afforded_by_marine_protected_areas_Mediterranean_Sea_case_study},
doi = {10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.11.016},
year = {2016},
date = {2016-02-01},
journal = {Journal of Environmental Management},
volume = {167},
pages = {29-37},
abstract = {The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) states the need to effectively conserve at least 10% of coastal and marine areas of particular importance for biodiversity by 2020. Here, a new indicator-based methodological framework to assess biodiversity protection afforded by marine protected areas' (MPA) was developed as a quick surrogate for MPAs' potential conservation effectiveness: the Marine Protected Area Protection Assessment Framework (MaPAF). The MaPAF consists of a limited number of headline indicators that are integrated in two indexes: Legal protection and Management effort, which eventually integrate in the overall MPA Protection super-index. The MaPAF was then tested in the Mediterranean MPA network as a case study. Spatial analyses were performed at three meaningful scales: the whole Mediterranean Sea, Mediterranean ecoregions and countries. The results of this study suggest that: 1) The MaPAF can serve as a useful tool for consistent, adaptive, quick and cost-effective MPA effectiveness assessments of MPAs and MPA networks in virtually any marine region, as the headline indicators used are commonly compiled and easy to retrieve; 2) The MaPAF proved usable and potentially relevant in the Mediterranean Sea where most indicators in the framework can be publicly accessed through the MAPAMED database and are planned to be regularly updated; 3) Protection afforded by MPAs is low across the whole Mediterranean, with only few MPAs having relatively high legal and managerial protection; and 4) Most Mediterranean countries need to devote substantially more work to improve MPA effectiveness mainly through increased management effort. },
keywords = {Conservation and management, Marine protected areas, Mediterranean sea, Protected areas},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) states the need to effectively conserve at least 10% of coastal and marine areas of particular importance for biodiversity by 2020. Here, a new indicator-based methodological framework to assess biodiversity protection afforded by marine protected areas' (MPA) was developed as a quick surrogate for MPAs' potential conservation effectiveness: the Marine Protected Area Protection Assessment Framework (MaPAF). The MaPAF consists of a limited number of headline indicators that are integrated in two indexes: Legal protection and Management effort, which eventually integrate in the overall MPA Protection super-index. The MaPAF was then tested in the Mediterranean MPA network as a case study. Spatial analyses were performed at three meaningful scales: the whole Mediterranean Sea, Mediterranean ecoregions and countries. The results of this study suggest that: 1) The MaPAF can serve as a useful tool for consistent, adaptive, quick and cost-effective MPA effectiveness assessments of MPAs and MPA networks in virtually any marine region, as the headline indicators used are commonly compiled and easy to retrieve; 2) The MaPAF proved usable and potentially relevant in the Mediterranean Sea where most indicators in the framework can be publicly accessed through the MAPAMED database and are planned to be regularly updated; 3) Protection afforded by MPAs is low across the whole Mediterranean, with only few MPAs having relatively high legal and managerial protection; and 4) Most Mediterranean countries need to devote substantially more work to improve MPA effectiveness mainly through increased management effort.
Rodríguez-Rodríguez, D.; Rodríguez, J.; Abdul-Malak, D.; Hernandez, P.
In: Marine Policy, vol. 64, pp. 24-30, 2016.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Conservation and management, Marine protected areas, Mediterranean sea, Protected areas
@article{Rodríguez-Rodríguez2016c,
title = {Marine protected areas and fisheries restricted areas in the Mediterranean: Assessing "actual" marine biodiversity protection coverage at multiple scales},
author = {D. Rodríguez-Rodríguez and J. Rodríguez and D. Abdul-Malak and P. Hernandez},
url = {https://www.researchgate.net/publication/304896848_Marine_protected_areas_and_fisheries_restricted_areas_in_the_Mediterranean_Assessing_actual_marine_biodiversity_protection_coverage_at_multiple_scales},
doi = {10.1016/j.marpol.2015.11.006},
year = {2016},
date = {2016-02-01},
journal = {Marine Policy},
volume = {64},
pages = {24-30},
abstract = {This study uses a tiered approach to assessing progress towards achieving the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) target to increase marine protected area (MPA) coverage to 10% at different scales: the whole Mediterranean Sea, by ecoregions and by countries. It additively considers marine protection coverage by conventional MPAs (cMPAs; tier 1); unconventional MPAs (uMPAs, including international Fisheries Restricted Areas –iFRAs-; tier 2); and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OEABCMs, including national FRAs -nFRAs; tier 3). It also discusses the appropriateness of considering tiers 2 & 3 as legal and managerial tools for sustainable marine development in national reporting against international protection coverage targets. At the Mediterranean Sea scale, by mid-2015 there were 1,077 cMPAs which covered 6.45% of its area. At the ecoregional scale, only the Western Mediterranean ecoregion exceeds the 10% coverage target. At national scale, four countries (Monaco, France, Spain and Turkey) currently exceed the 10% target for their entire hypothetical Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). The cMPA designations that contribute most to Mediterranean MPA coverage are Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMIs), the Pelagos Sanctuary, Natura 2000 sites and national designations, respectively. When considering uMPAs, the amount of marine area under protection in the Mediterranean reaches 1,632,507 km2 or roughly 64.48% of the Mediterranean Sea area; all the ecoregions more than double the CBD coverage target; all countries but Malta meet the target in their inshore waters; and all countries meet the target in their whole hypothetical EEZs. Finally, nFRAs contributed 565 km2 of additional protected area and made the percentage of legally protected marine area reach 64.50% of the total Mediterranean Sea area.},
keywords = {Conservation and management, Marine protected areas, Mediterranean sea, Protected areas},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
This study uses a tiered approach to assessing progress towards achieving the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) target to increase marine protected area (MPA) coverage to 10% at different scales: the whole Mediterranean Sea, by ecoregions and by countries. It additively considers marine protection coverage by conventional MPAs (cMPAs; tier 1); unconventional MPAs (uMPAs, including international Fisheries Restricted Areas –iFRAs-; tier 2); and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OEABCMs, including national FRAs -nFRAs; tier 3). It also discusses the appropriateness of considering tiers 2 & 3 as legal and managerial tools for sustainable marine development in national reporting against international protection coverage targets. At the Mediterranean Sea scale, by mid-2015 there were 1,077 cMPAs which covered 6.45% of its area. At the ecoregional scale, only the Western Mediterranean ecoregion exceeds the 10% coverage target. At national scale, four countries (Monaco, France, Spain and Turkey) currently exceed the 10% target for their entire hypothetical Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). The cMPA designations that contribute most to Mediterranean MPA coverage are Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMIs), the Pelagos Sanctuary, Natura 2000 sites and national designations, respectively. When considering uMPAs, the amount of marine area under protection in the Mediterranean reaches 1,632,507 km2 or roughly 64.48% of the Mediterranean Sea area; all the ecoregions more than double the CBD coverage target; all countries but Malta meet the target in their inshore waters; and all countries meet the target in their whole hypothetical EEZs. Finally, nFRAs contributed 565 km2 of additional protected area and made the percentage of legally protected marine area reach 64.50% of the total Mediterranean Sea area.
Rodríguez-Rodríguez, D.; Rodríguez, J.; Abdul-Malak, D.; Nastasi, A.; Hernández, P.
In: Marine Policy, vol. 64, pp. 24-30, 2016.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Conservation and management, Marine protected areas, Mediterranean sea, Protected areas
@article{Rodríguez-Rodrígueza2016,
title = {Marine protected areas and fisheries restricted areas in the Mediterranean: assessing “actual” marine biodiversity protection coverage at multiple scales},
author = {D. Rodríguez-Rodríguez and J. Rodríguez and D. Abdul-Malak and A. Nastasi and P. Hernández},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X15003255},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2015.11.006},
year = {2016},
date = {2016-02-01},
journal = {Marine Policy},
volume = {64},
pages = {24-30},
abstract = {This study uses a tiered approach to assessing progress towards achieving the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) target to increase marine protected area (MPA) coverage to 10% at different scales: the whole Mediterranean Sea, by ecoregions and by countries. It additively considers marine protection coverage by conventional MPAs (cMPAs; tier 1); unconventional MPAs (uMPAs, including international Fisheries Restricted Areas – iFRAs-; tier 2); and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OEABCMs, including national FRAs–nFRAs; tier 3). It also discusses the appropriateness of considering tiers 2 and 3 as legal and managerial tools for sustainable marine development in national reporting against international protection coverage targets. At the Mediterranean Sea scale, by mid-2015 there were 1077 cMPAs which covered 6.45% of its area. At the ecoregional scale, only the Western Mediterranean ecoregion exceeds the 10% coverage target. At national scale, four countries (Monaco, France, Spain and Turkey) currently exceed the 10% target for their entire hypothetical Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). The cMPA designations that contribute most to Mediterranean MPA coverage are Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMIs), the Pelagos Sanctuary, Natura 2000 sites and national designations, respectively. When considering uMPAs, the amount of marine area under protection in the Mediterranean reaches 1,632,507 km2 or roughly 64.48% of the Mediterranean Sea area; all the ecoregions more than double the CBD coverage target; all countries but Malta meet the target in their inshore waters; and all countries meet the target in their whole hypothetical EEZs. Finally, nFRAs contributed 565 km2 of additional protected area and made the percentage of legally protected marine area reach 64.50% of the total Mediterranean Sea area.},
keywords = {Conservation and management, Marine protected areas, Mediterranean sea, Protected areas},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
This study uses a tiered approach to assessing progress towards achieving the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) target to increase marine protected area (MPA) coverage to 10% at different scales: the whole Mediterranean Sea, by ecoregions and by countries. It additively considers marine protection coverage by conventional MPAs (cMPAs; tier 1); unconventional MPAs (uMPAs, including international Fisheries Restricted Areas – iFRAs-; tier 2); and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OEABCMs, including national FRAs–nFRAs; tier 3). It also discusses the appropriateness of considering tiers 2 and 3 as legal and managerial tools for sustainable marine development in national reporting against international protection coverage targets. At the Mediterranean Sea scale, by mid-2015 there were 1077 cMPAs which covered 6.45% of its area. At the ecoregional scale, only the Western Mediterranean ecoregion exceeds the 10% coverage target. At national scale, four countries (Monaco, France, Spain and Turkey) currently exceed the 10% target for their entire hypothetical Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). The cMPA designations that contribute most to Mediterranean MPA coverage are Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMIs), the Pelagos Sanctuary, Natura 2000 sites and national designations, respectively. When considering uMPAs, the amount of marine area under protection in the Mediterranean reaches 1,632,507 km2 or roughly 64.48% of the Mediterranean Sea area; all the ecoregions more than double the CBD coverage target; all countries but Malta meet the target in their inshore waters; and all countries meet the target in their whole hypothetical EEZs. Finally, nFRAs contributed 565 km2 of additional protected area and made the percentage of legally protected marine area reach 64.50% of the total Mediterranean Sea area.
Rodríguez-Rodríguez, D.; Rodríguez, J.; Abdul-Malak, D.
In: Journal of Environmental Management, vol. 167, pp. 29-37, 2016.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Conservation and management, Marine protected areas, Mediterranean sea, Protected areas
@article{Rodríguez-Rodríguez2016e,
title = {Development and testing of a new framework for rapidly assessing legal and managerial protection afforded by marine protected areas: Mediterranean Sea case study},
author = {D. Rodríguez-Rodríguez and J. Rodríguez and D. Abdul-Malak},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301479715303704},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.11.016},
year = {2016},
date = {2016-02-01},
journal = {Journal of Environmental Management},
volume = {167},
pages = {29-37},
abstract = {The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) states the need to effectively conserve at least 10% of coastal and marine areas of particular importance for biodiversity by 2020. Here, a new indicator-based methodological framework to assess biodiversity protection afforded by marine protected areas' (MPA) was developed as a quick surrogate for MPAs' potential conservation effectiveness: the Marine Protected Area Protection Assessment Framework (MaPAF). The MaPAF consists of a limited number of headline indicators that are integrated in two indexes: Legal protection and Management effort, which eventually integrate in the overall MPA Protection super-index. The MaPAF was then tested in the Mediterranean MPA network as a case study. Spatial analyses were performed at three meaningful scales: the whole Mediterranean Sea, Mediterranean ecoregions and countries. The results of this study suggest that: 1) The MaPAF can serve as a useful tool for consistent, adaptive, quick and cost-effective MPA effectiveness assessments of MPAs and MPA networks in virtually any marine region, as the headline indicators used are commonly compiled and easy to retrieve; 2) The MaPAF proved usable and potentially relevant in the Mediterranean Sea where most indicators in the framework can be publicly accessed through the MAPAMED database and are planned to be regularly updated; 3) Protection afforded by MPAs is low across the whole Mediterranean, with only few MPAs having relatively high legal and managerial protection; and 4) Most Mediterranean countries need to devote substantially more work to improve MPA effectiveness mainly through increased management effort.},
keywords = {Conservation and management, Marine protected areas, Mediterranean sea, Protected areas},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) states the need to effectively conserve at least 10% of coastal and marine areas of particular importance for biodiversity by 2020. Here, a new indicator-based methodological framework to assess biodiversity protection afforded by marine protected areas' (MPA) was developed as a quick surrogate for MPAs' potential conservation effectiveness: the Marine Protected Area Protection Assessment Framework (MaPAF). The MaPAF consists of a limited number of headline indicators that are integrated in two indexes: Legal protection and Management effort, which eventually integrate in the overall MPA Protection super-index. The MaPAF was then tested in the Mediterranean MPA network as a case study. Spatial analyses were performed at three meaningful scales: the whole Mediterranean Sea, Mediterranean ecoregions and countries. The results of this study suggest that: 1) The MaPAF can serve as a useful tool for consistent, adaptive, quick and cost-effective MPA effectiveness assessments of MPAs and MPA networks in virtually any marine region, as the headline indicators used are commonly compiled and easy to retrieve; 2) The MaPAF proved usable and potentially relevant in the Mediterranean Sea where most indicators in the framework can be publicly accessed through the MAPAMED database and are planned to be regularly updated; 3) Protection afforded by MPAs is low across the whole Mediterranean, with only few MPAs having relatively high legal and managerial protection; and 4) Most Mediterranean countries need to devote substantially more work to improve MPA effectiveness mainly through increased management effort.
Rodríguez-Rodríguez, D.; Sánchez-Espinosa, A.; Schröder, C.; Abdul-Malak, D.; Rodríguez, J.
Cumulative pressures and low protection: a concerning blend for Mediterranean MPAs Journal Article
In: Marine Pollution Bulletin, vol. 101, pp. 288-295, 2015.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Climate Change, Marine protected areas, Mediterranean sea, Pressures
@article{Rodríguez-Rodrígueza2015,
title = {Cumulative pressures and low protection: a concerning blend for Mediterranean MPAs},
author = {D. Rodríguez-Rodríguez and A. Sánchez-Espinosa and C. Schröder and D. Abdul-Malak and J. Rodríguez},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X15300540},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.09.039},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-12-01},
journal = {Marine Pollution Bulletin},
volume = {101},
pages = {288-295},
abstract = {This study classifies Mediterranean marine protected areas (MPAs) according to the combined result of pressure level and protection. Six major marine environment pressures were considered: pressures from fish farms, fishing, marine litter, pressures from marinas, pollution from maritime transport, and climate change. MPA protection was assessed through legal protection and management effort. Most MPA area in the Mediterranean is under relatively high pressure level and afforded low protection. Inshore areas show higher pressure levels. Five marine ecoregions, nine countries and nineteen MPA designation categories have over 50% of their MPA area under major concern. The mean number of cumulative pressures occurring in priority MPAs ranges between three and four, although the mean combined intensity of those pressures is low. However, these figures are most likely underestimated, especially for the southern Mediterranean. The most concerning pressures to MPAs regarding extent and intensity were: climate change, fishing and pollution from maritime transport.},
keywords = {Climate Change, Marine protected areas, Mediterranean sea, Pressures},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
This study classifies Mediterranean marine protected areas (MPAs) according to the combined result of pressure level and protection. Six major marine environment pressures were considered: pressures from fish farms, fishing, marine litter, pressures from marinas, pollution from maritime transport, and climate change. MPA protection was assessed through legal protection and management effort. Most MPA area in the Mediterranean is under relatively high pressure level and afforded low protection. Inshore areas show higher pressure levels. Five marine ecoregions, nine countries and nineteen MPA designation categories have over 50% of their MPA area under major concern. The mean number of cumulative pressures occurring in priority MPAs ranges between three and four, although the mean combined intensity of those pressures is low. However, these figures are most likely underestimated, especially for the southern Mediterranean. The most concerning pressures to MPAs regarding extent and intensity were: climate change, fishing and pollution from maritime transport.
Abdul-Malak, D.; Pausa, J. G.; Pardo-Pascual, J. E.; Ruiz, L. A.
Fire Recurrence and the Dynamics Journal Article
In: International Journal of Applied Geospatial Research, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 18-35, 2015.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Forest, Forest fire, Mediterranean sea
@article{Abdul-Malak2015,
title = {Fire Recurrence and the Dynamics},
author = {D. Abdul-Malak and J. G. Pausa and J. E. Pardo-Pascual and L. A. Ruiz},
url = {https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271468045_Fire_Recurrence_and_the_Dynamics_of_the_Enhanced_Vegetation_Index_in_a_Mediterranean_Ecosystem},
doi = {10.4018/ijagr.2015040102},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-04-01},
journal = {International Journal of Applied Geospatial Research},
volume = {6},
number = {2},
pages = {18-35},
abstract = {This study area is located in the eastern littoral of the Iberian Peninsula; its importance resides in its Mediterranean ecosystem, complex topography, extensive land use changes, and intensive forest fires history. The study is done at the landscape level, covering a wide area for an extended period of time. This work uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Satellite Remote Sensing (SRS) techniques to evaluate the impact of spatio-temporal parameters on shaping Mediterranean landscapes. Interacting ecological parameters are analysed and correlated to post-fire vegetation regeneration in an attempt to understand its dynamics. The results provide evidence that the number of fires separated by short time intervals influence vegetation growth negatively measured as Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI). During this period, micro-climatic effects (soil and environmental humidity) are major factors influencing EVI-measured vegetation regeneration. The conclusions expect shifts in Mediterranean plant communities in heavily burned ecosystems stressing the importance of their correct short and long term post-fire management.},
keywords = {Forest, Forest fire, Mediterranean sea},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
This study area is located in the eastern littoral of the Iberian Peninsula; its importance resides in its Mediterranean ecosystem, complex topography, extensive land use changes, and intensive forest fires history. The study is done at the landscape level, covering a wide area for an extended period of time. This work uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Satellite Remote Sensing (SRS) techniques to evaluate the impact of spatio-temporal parameters on shaping Mediterranean landscapes. Interacting ecological parameters are analysed and correlated to post-fire vegetation regeneration in an attempt to understand its dynamics. The results provide evidence that the number of fires separated by short time intervals influence vegetation growth negatively measured as Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI). During this period, micro-climatic effects (soil and environmental humidity) are major factors influencing EVI-measured vegetation regeneration. The conclusions expect shifts in Mediterranean plant communities in heavily burned ecosystems stressing the importance of their correct short and long term post-fire management.
Books
Abdul-Malak, D.; McGlade, K.; Pascual, D.; Pla, E.
1, Springer International Publishing, 2017, ISBN: 978-3-319-51680-6, (2191-5547 ISSN 978-3-319-51680-6 eBook ISBN).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Climate Change, Mediterranean sea, Pressures
@book{Abdul-Malak2017,
title = {Adapting to Climate Change – An Assessment of Vulnerability and Risks to Human Security in the Western Mediterranean Basin},
author = {D. Abdul-Malak and K. McGlade and D. Pascual and E. Pla},
doi = {10.1007/978-3-319-51680-6},
isbn = {978-3-319-51680-6},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-01-01},
number = {100},
publisher = {Springer International Publishing},
edition = {1},
abstract = {This book examines the water-related impacts of climate change in the UNESCO Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve of the Mediterranean (IBRM) straddling Spain and Morocco. This is the first in-depth publication on a fascinating transboundary case study; while climate change effects are rather homogenous across the IBRM, differing socio-economic contexts, land-use patterns and policy frameworks in Spain and Morocco mean considerable variations in vulnerability and consequences for human security. The authors have produced a novel and integrated vulnerability assessment that combines hydro-ecological, socio-economic and policy analyses. The interdisciplinary approach and insights contained in this volume will appeal both to those interested in the integration of natural and social sciences as well as those working on water and climate change from academic, practical or policy-oriented perspectives.},
note = {2191-5547 ISSN
978-3-319-51680-6 eBook ISBN},
keywords = {Climate Change, Mediterranean sea, Pressures},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {book}
}
This book examines the water-related impacts of climate change in the UNESCO Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve of the Mediterranean (IBRM) straddling Spain and Morocco. This is the first in-depth publication on a fascinating transboundary case study; while climate change effects are rather homogenous across the IBRM, differing socio-economic contexts, land-use patterns and policy frameworks in Spain and Morocco mean considerable variations in vulnerability and consequences for human security. The authors have produced a novel and integrated vulnerability assessment that combines hydro-ecological, socio-economic and policy analyses. The interdisciplinary approach and insights contained in this volume will appeal both to those interested in the integration of natural and social sciences as well as those working on water and climate change from academic, practical or policy-oriented perspectives.
Presentations
Abdul-Malak, D.
Med-IAMER: 2015 ASLO Aquatic Sciences Meeting Presentation
25.02.2015.
Links | BibTeX | Tags: Med-IAMER, Mediterranean sea
@misc{Abdul-Malak2015b,
title = {Med-IAMER: 2015 ASLO Aquatic Sciences Meeting},
author = {D. Abdul-Malak},
url = {http://www.medmaritimeprojects.eu/download/ProjectMediamer/Cumulative_pressures_Mediterranean_UMA_ASLO.pdf},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-02-25},
keywords = {Med-IAMER, Mediterranean sea},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {presentation}
}
Abdul-Malak, D.
Med-IAMER: Blue Energies in the Mediterrean Sea Presentation
10.12.2014.
Links | BibTeX | Tags: Blue Growth, Med-IAMER, Mediterranean sea
@misc{Abdul-Malak2014c,
title = {Med-IAMER: Blue Energies in the Mediterrean Sea},
author = {D. Abdul-Malak},
url = {http://www.medmaritimeprojects.eu/download/ProjectMediamer/Blue_Energy/Med-IAMER_BlueEnergy_presentation_UMA.pdf},
year = {2014},
date = {2014-12-10},
keywords = {Blue Growth, Med-IAMER, Mediterranean sea},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {presentation}
}
Abdul-Malak, D.
Med-IAMER: Project general presentation Presentation
29.10.2014.
Links | BibTeX | Tags: Med-IAMER, Mediterranean sea
@misc{Abdul-Malak2014b,
title = {Med-IAMER: Project general presentation},
author = {D. Abdul-Malak},
url = {http://www.medmaritimeprojects.eu/download/ProjectMediamer/SH_Meeting_AIE/Med-Iamer%20general%20presentation.pdf},
year = {2014},
date = {2014-10-29},
keywords = {Med-IAMER, Mediterranean sea},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {presentation}
}
Abdul-Malak, D.
Póster proyecto Med-IAMER Presentation
01.01.2014.
Links | BibTeX | Tags: Med-IAMER, Mediterranean sea
@misc{Abdul-Malak2014,
title = {Póster proyecto Med-IAMER},
author = {D. Abdul-Malak},
url = {/wp-content/uploads/publications/Poster_MEDIAMER.pdf},
year = {2014},
date = {2014-01-01},
keywords = {Med-IAMER, Mediterranean sea},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {presentation}
}
Technical Reports
Fortuna, C.; Sánchez-Espinosa, A.; Rodríguez-Rodríguez, D.; Abdul-Malak, D.; Podestà, M.; Panigada, S.
2022.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Biodiversity, Conservation and management, Environmental conservation, Marine protected areas, Maritime transport, Mediterranean sea
@techreport{Fortuna2022,
title = {Pathways to coexistence between large cetaceans and maritime transport in the north-western Mediterranean region: Collision risk between ships and whales within the proposed north-western Mediterranean PSSA, including the Pelagos Sanctuary},
author = {C. Fortuna and A. Sánchez-Espinosa and D. Rodríguez-Rodríguez and D. Abdul-Malak and M. Podestà and S. Panigada},
url = {https://panaceaweb.adabyron.uma.es/wp-content/uploads/Pathways-to-coexistence-between-large-cetaceans-and-maritime-transport-in-the-north-western-Mediterranean-region.pdf},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-11-18},
urldate = {2022-11-18},
abstract = {This short report is the result of a collaborative effort among researchers from ISPRA in Italy and ETC-UMA in Spain supported by Mediterranean institutions partnering in the MBPC project. The level of maritime traffic and the intricacy of the network of shipping routes within the Pelagos Sanctuary and the new proposed north western Mediterranean Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA is an area that needs special protection through action by International Maritime Organization (IMO) because of its significance for recognized ecological or socio-economic or scientific reasons and which may be vulnerable to damage by international maritime activities) has an impact on fin whales, particularly in spring and summer when they can be found in the region to feed. Many of these shipping routes also cross several marine protected areas (MPAs), including large Nature 2000 sites. To assist in the identification of hotspot areas in the Pelagos Sanctuary and adjacent areas concerning key biodiversity and pressures, ETC-UMA produced several spatial data analysis, maps and informative interactive dashboards with Mediterranean-level data, which are now part of this report and other products now available through the MBPC Knowledge platform online, hosted and maintained by ETC-UMA.},
keywords = {Biodiversity, Conservation and management, Environmental conservation, Marine protected areas, Maritime transport, Mediterranean sea},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
This short report is the result of a collaborative effort among researchers from ISPRA in Italy and ETC-UMA in Spain supported by Mediterranean institutions partnering in the MBPC project. The level of maritime traffic and the intricacy of the network of shipping routes within the Pelagos Sanctuary and the new proposed north western Mediterranean Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA is an area that needs special protection through action by International Maritime Organization (IMO) because of its significance for recognized ecological or socio-economic or scientific reasons and which may be vulnerable to damage by international maritime activities) has an impact on fin whales, particularly in spring and summer when they can be found in the region to feed. Many of these shipping routes also cross several marine protected areas (MPAs), including large Nature 2000 sites. To assist in the identification of hotspot areas in the Pelagos Sanctuary and adjacent areas concerning key biodiversity and pressures, ETC-UMA produced several spatial data analysis, maps and informative interactive dashboards with Mediterranean-level data, which are now part of this report and other products now available through the MBPC Knowledge platform online, hosted and maintained by ETC-UMA.
Rodríguez-Rodríguez, D.; Abdul-Malak, D.
An assessment of marine biodiversity protection in the Mediterranean Sea: A threatened global biodiversity hotspot Technical Report
2022.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Biodiversity, Conservation and management, Environmental conservation, Marine protected areas, Mediterranean sea, Protected areas
@techreport{Rodríguez-Rodríguez2022,
title = {An assessment of marine biodiversity protection in the Mediterranean Sea: A threatened global biodiversity hotspot},
author = {D. Rodríguez-Rodríguez and D. Abdul-Malak},
url = {https://panaceaweb.adabyron.uma.es/wp-content/uploads/An_assessment_of_marine_biodiversity_protection_in_the_Mediterranean_Sea.pdf},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-11-01},
urldate = {2022-11-01},
abstract = {The Mediterranean Sea is a World’s biodiversity hotspot. It harbours around 11% of all marine species in less than 1% of the global marine area (Bianchi & Morri, 2000). Furthermore, around 20% of those species are endemic (Coll et al., 2010). Nevertheless, Mediterranean marine biodiversity is under threat by a number of pressures including overfishing, pollution, introduction of alien invasive species, coastaldevelopment and rising water temperature and acidity.
Efforts to conserve the Mediterranean environment have been going on for years, notably since the adoption of the Barcelona Convention against marine pollution in 1976 and its expanded version to cover the protection of the broader marine and coastal environment in 1995. Moreover, the entry into force of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the related Habitats Directive in the European Union in 1992 additionally supported conservation actions in the region, especially in the European Union side of the Mediterranean.
As a result of those efforts, an increasing number of marine protected areas (MPAs) have been designated across the Mediterranean Sea
representing over 9.5% of the Mediterranean Sea, but mainly in the North-Western Mediterranean (Gomei et al., 2019). When addressing managerial effort, this percentage drops dramatically, with 1.27% of the Mediterranean sea being covered by MPAs that effectively implemented their management plans in 2018 (Gomei et al., 2019). New international protection coverage targets are likely to include 30% of marine and coastal areas being effectively protected by networks of MPAs or Other Effective Conservation Measures (OECMs) by 2030 (CBD, 2021). Additional protection targets by the European Union require that 10% of important areas for biodiversity are designated under legally stringent no-take (M)PAs by 2030, which may further broaden the long-lasting North-South marine protection gap in the Mediterranean (Adbulla et al., 2008).},
keywords = {Biodiversity, Conservation and management, Environmental conservation, Marine protected areas, Mediterranean sea, Protected areas},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
The Mediterranean Sea is a World’s biodiversity hotspot. It harbours around 11% of all marine species in less than 1% of the global marine area (Bianchi & Morri, 2000). Furthermore, around 20% of those species are endemic (Coll et al., 2010). Nevertheless, Mediterranean marine biodiversity is under threat by a number of pressures including overfishing, pollution, introduction of alien invasive species, coastaldevelopment and rising water temperature and acidity.
Efforts to conserve the Mediterranean environment have been going on for years, notably since the adoption of the Barcelona Convention against marine pollution in 1976 and its expanded version to cover the protection of the broader marine and coastal environment in 1995. Moreover, the entry into force of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the related Habitats Directive in the European Union in 1992 additionally supported conservation actions in the region, especially in the European Union side of the Mediterranean.
As a result of those efforts, an increasing number of marine protected areas (MPAs) have been designated across the Mediterranean Sea
representing over 9.5% of the Mediterranean Sea, but mainly in the North-Western Mediterranean (Gomei et al., 2019). When addressing managerial effort, this percentage drops dramatically, with 1.27% of the Mediterranean sea being covered by MPAs that effectively implemented their management plans in 2018 (Gomei et al., 2019). New international protection coverage targets are likely to include 30% of marine and coastal areas being effectively protected by networks of MPAs or Other Effective Conservation Measures (OECMs) by 2030 (CBD, 2021). Additional protection targets by the European Union require that 10% of important areas for biodiversity are designated under legally stringent no-take (M)PAs by 2030, which may further broaden the long-lasting North-South marine protection gap in the Mediterranean (Adbulla et al., 2008).
Efforts to conserve the Mediterranean environment have been going on for years, notably since the adoption of the Barcelona Convention against marine pollution in 1976 and its expanded version to cover the protection of the broader marine and coastal environment in 1995. Moreover, the entry into force of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the related Habitats Directive in the European Union in 1992 additionally supported conservation actions in the region, especially in the European Union side of the Mediterranean.
As a result of those efforts, an increasing number of marine protected areas (MPAs) have been designated across the Mediterranean Sea
representing over 9.5% of the Mediterranean Sea, but mainly in the North-Western Mediterranean (Gomei et al., 2019). When addressing managerial effort, this percentage drops dramatically, with 1.27% of the Mediterranean sea being covered by MPAs that effectively implemented their management plans in 2018 (Gomei et al., 2019). New international protection coverage targets are likely to include 30% of marine and coastal areas being effectively protected by networks of MPAs or Other Effective Conservation Measures (OECMs) by 2030 (CBD, 2021). Additional protection targets by the European Union require that 10% of important areas for biodiversity are designated under legally stringent no-take (M)PAs by 2030, which may further broaden the long-lasting North-South marine protection gap in the Mediterranean (Adbulla et al., 2008).
del Mar Otero, M.
Towards a nature positive Mediterranean: Accelerating the transition for the conservation, restoration and wise use of biodiversity in the Mediterranean Technical Report
2022.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Biodiversity, Blue Growth, Climate Change, Conservation and management, Environmental conservation, Marine protected areas, Mediterranean sea, Pressures
@techreport{delOtero2022,
title = {Towards a nature positive Mediterranean: Accelerating the transition for the conservation, restoration and wise use of biodiversity in the Mediterranean},
author = {M. del Mar Otero},
url = {https://www.etc.uma.es/wp-content/uploads/MBPC_Policy_Paper_2022.pdf},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-11-01},
abstract = {This policy paper draws on various recent policy discussions and papers at a global level, particularly the transformation pathways from the Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). It also stems from the need to tackle climate change and biodiversity targets simultaneously to generate solutions at the Mediterranean basin.
Building on the IPBES findings, this paper identifies transformative actions that bring about change in the conservation, restoration and wise use of coastal and marine biodiversity ensuring the positive coexistence between economic sectors and sensitive species and habitats found in the Mediterranean region. It argues for the feasible implementation of these actions through available solutions and tools developed by the Interreg Mediterranean Biodiversity Protection Community, among others, that would place the region in the path of ecological resilience and nature recovery.},
keywords = {Biodiversity, Blue Growth, Climate Change, Conservation and management, Environmental conservation, Marine protected areas, Mediterranean sea, Pressures},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
This policy paper draws on various recent policy discussions and papers at a global level, particularly the transformation pathways from the Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). It also stems from the need to tackle climate change and biodiversity targets simultaneously to generate solutions at the Mediterranean basin.
Building on the IPBES findings, this paper identifies transformative actions that bring about change in the conservation, restoration and wise use of coastal and marine biodiversity ensuring the positive coexistence between economic sectors and sensitive species and habitats found in the Mediterranean region. It argues for the feasible implementation of these actions through available solutions and tools developed by the Interreg Mediterranean Biodiversity Protection Community, among others, that would place the region in the path of ecological resilience and nature recovery.
Building on the IPBES findings, this paper identifies transformative actions that bring about change in the conservation, restoration and wise use of coastal and marine biodiversity ensuring the positive coexistence between economic sectors and sensitive species and habitats found in the Mediterranean region. It argues for the feasible implementation of these actions through available solutions and tools developed by the Interreg Mediterranean Biodiversity Protection Community, among others, that would place the region in the path of ecological resilience and nature recovery.
Trombetti, M.; Abdul-Malak, D.; Sánchez-Espinosa, A.; Guelmami, A.; García, N.; Fitoka, E.
Mapping and assessment of the state of wetland ecosystems: A Mediterranean perspective Technical Report
2022.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Conservation and management, Ecosystem services, Environmental conservation, Mediterranean sea, Protected areas, Wetlands
@techreport{Trombetti2022,
title = {Mapping and assessment of the state of wetland ecosystems: A Mediterranean perspective},
author = {M. Trombetti and D. Abdul-Malak and A. Sánchez-Espinosa and A. Guelmami and N. García and E. Fitoka},
editor = {Interreg Mediterranean Biodiversity Protection Community project},
url = {https://www.etc.uma.es/wp-content/uploads/Report_Mapping_and_assessment_of_the_state_of_wetland_ecosystems_2022.pdf},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-06-01},
urldate = {2022-06-01},
abstract = {The Pan-Mediterranean wetland ecosystem map fills a major knowledge gap in the region by setting a Mediterranean-wide knowledge base on wetland ecosystems following the Ramsar definition of wetlands. The wetland ecosystem mapping is complemented by the assessment of wetland biodiversity conditions that aims to highlight priority areas for potential conservation and restoration actions in the region, and to support the regional efforts in advocating for effective wetland management and nature-based solutions in the Mediterranean region. The outputs of this activity include (i) a Pan-Mediterranean wetland ecosystem knowledge base, and (ii) an assessment of their condition that will be used to raise awareness and advocate for a change in wetland management that promotes effective protection, conservation and restoration. The outputs also support regional and national inventories, filling a major regional gap locating Mediterranean wetland habitats, and feed regional and global agendas, namely the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2030, the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable development as well as the Ramsar Convention.},
keywords = {Biodiversity, Climate Change, Conservation and management, Ecosystem services, Environmental conservation, Mediterranean sea, Protected areas, Wetlands},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
The Pan-Mediterranean wetland ecosystem map fills a major knowledge gap in the region by setting a Mediterranean-wide knowledge base on wetland ecosystems following the Ramsar definition of wetlands. The wetland ecosystem mapping is complemented by the assessment of wetland biodiversity conditions that aims to highlight priority areas for potential conservation and restoration actions in the region, and to support the regional efforts in advocating for effective wetland management and nature-based solutions in the Mediterranean region. The outputs of this activity include (i) a Pan-Mediterranean wetland ecosystem knowledge base, and (ii) an assessment of their condition that will be used to raise awareness and advocate for a change in wetland management that promotes effective protection, conservation and restoration. The outputs also support regional and national inventories, filling a major regional gap locating Mediterranean wetland habitats, and feed regional and global agendas, namely the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2030, the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable development as well as the Ramsar Convention.
Sánchez-Espinosa, A.; Abdul-Malak, D.; San-Román, S.; Vera, A.
Marine mega fauna and litter in the Mediterranean: Overview of impacts in MedBioLitter Technical Report
2022.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Biodiversity, Conservation and management, Environmental conservation, Marine litter, Marine protected areas, Mediterranean sea, Pressures, Protected areas
@techreport{Sánchez-Espinosa2022,
title = {Marine mega fauna and litter in the Mediterranean: Overview of impacts in MedBioLitter},
author = {A. Sánchez-Espinosa and D. Abdul-Malak and S. San-Román and A. Vera},
url = {https://www.etc.uma.es/wp-content/uploads/Marine_mega_fauna_litter_Mediterranean_March2022.pdf},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-04-01},
urldate = {2022-04-01},
abstract = {This report highlights the conclusions coming from the analysis of MedBiolitter spatial and scientific data on interactions between marine fauna and litter in the Mediterranean published in English as in v.8 updated in March 2022, integrated with marine litter data collected by ACCOBAMS in the frame of the Aerial Survey Initiative on cetaceans and marine litter. The analysis focuses on the impacts on marine megafauna (large mammals like cetaceans and seals, turtles, cartilaginous fishes like sharks and rays, and scombridae like tuna and swordfish). This publication follows the publication of the “Mediterranean biodiversity and marine litter: an interaction knowledge base” report in the frame of the Interreg Mediterranean Biodiversity Protection project published in 2019. },
keywords = {Biodiversity, Conservation and management, Environmental conservation, Marine litter, Marine protected areas, Mediterranean sea, Pressures, Protected areas},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
This report highlights the conclusions coming from the analysis of MedBiolitter spatial and scientific data on interactions between marine fauna and litter in the Mediterranean published in English as in v.8 updated in March 2022, integrated with marine litter data collected by ACCOBAMS in the frame of the Aerial Survey Initiative on cetaceans and marine litter. The analysis focuses on the impacts on marine megafauna (large mammals like cetaceans and seals, turtles, cartilaginous fishes like sharks and rays, and scombridae like tuna and swordfish). This publication follows the publication of the “Mediterranean biodiversity and marine litter: an interaction knowledge base” report in the frame of the Interreg Mediterranean Biodiversity Protection project published in 2019.
UNEP-MAP,; Plan-Bleu,; Abdul-Malak, D.; Marín, A. I.; Schröder, C.; Sánchez-Espinosa, A.
SoED 2020 : State of Environment and Development in Mediterranean Technical Report
2020.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Conservation and management, Environmental conservation, Marine protected areas, Mediterranean sea, Pressures, Protected areas
@techreport{UNEP-MAP2020,
title = {SoED 2020 : State of Environment and Development in Mediterranean},
author = {UNEP-MAP and Plan-Bleu and D. Abdul-Malak and A. I. Marín and C. Schröder and A. Sánchez-Espinosa},
url = {https://planbleu.org/en/soed-2020-state-of-environment-and-development-in-mediterranean/},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-12-01},
abstract = {The SoED provides a comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of environment and development interactions in the Mediterranean region. The 2020 version consists of eight thematic chapters and is complemented by two summary papers: Summary for Decision Makers and Key Messages. Topics covered include: socio-economic drivers and trends; climate change; biodiversity and ecosystem services; economic activities and related pressures; coastal dynamics and related impacts; food and water security; health and environment; and governance.},
keywords = {Biodiversity, Climate Change, Conservation and management, Environmental conservation, Marine protected areas, Mediterranean sea, Pressures, Protected areas},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
The SoED provides a comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of environment and development interactions in the Mediterranean region. The 2020 version consists of eight thematic chapters and is complemented by two summary papers: Summary for Decision Makers and Key Messages. Topics covered include: socio-economic drivers and trends; climate change; biodiversity and ecosystem services; economic activities and related pressures; coastal dynamics and related impacts; food and water security; health and environment; and governance.
Rodríguez-Rodríguez, D.; Meliane, I.
2020.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Biodiversity, Conservation and management, Environmental conservation, Marine protected areas, Mediterranean sea, Protected areas
@techreport{Rodríguez-Rodríguez2020,
title = {Report on the Regional Workshop on “other Effective Area-Based Conservation measures” in North Africa and Eastern Mediterranean: Identifying, advancing and reporting OECMs. Summary of Conclusions and Recommendations. Tunis, 10th-11th of February 2020.},
author = {D. Rodríguez-Rodríguez and I. Meliane},
url = {https://www.iucn.org/sites/dev/files/content/documents/2020/oecm_workshop_report_semed_2020-.pdf},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-05-01},
abstract = {Report prepared by the European Topic Centre of the University of Malaga on behalf of the IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation.},
keywords = {Biodiversity, Conservation and management, Environmental conservation, Marine protected areas, Mediterranean sea, Protected areas},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
Report prepared by the European Topic Centre of the University of Malaga on behalf of the IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation.
Guitart, C.; Abdul-Malak, D.; Sánchez-Espinosa, A.; Valverde, C. Pérez; Bigagli, E.; San-Román, S.
Mediterranean biodiversity and marine litter: an interaction knowledge base Technical Report
2020.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Biodiversity, Conservation and management, Marine litter, Marine protected areas, Mediterranean sea, Pressures
@techreport{Guitart2020,
title = {Mediterranean biodiversity and marine litter: an interaction knowledge base},
author = {C. Guitart and D. Abdul-Malak and A. Sánchez-Espinosa and C. Pérez Valverde and E. Bigagli and S. San-Román},
editor = {ETC-UMA},
url = {https://www.etc.uma.es/wp-content/uploads/PAN_report_Mediterranean-biodiversity-and-marine-litter_LowRes.pdf},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-10},
urldate = {2020-01-10},
abstract = {The Interreg-Med programme (2014-2020) has co-financed several initiatives that tackle the issue of marine litter. The Mediterranean Biodiversity Protection Community, co-financed by Interreg Med and featured by PANACeA, is one of these networks and aims at ensuring harmonized approaches to provide transferable evidence-based solutions on this growing challenge in the region. Part of the contribution of this Interreg Med community is to increase the evidence and the understanding of marine litter concerns and to reduce the pressures coming from marine litter as well as its impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems in the Mediterranean region.
The main areas of work of this community to date include the compilation of knowledge and available information on monitoring, measures and actions in marine protected areas (MPAs) and beyond, and to provide tools to support biodiversity protection and management to a wide range of stakeholders from local managers to regional policy makers in the Mediterranean region. An insight on projects tackling marine litter policy, management, pressures, impacts and best practices to combat litter in the marine and coastal environment is presented in Table 1. Five projects (out of 11 thematic projects within the Mediterranean Biodiversity Protection Community) have pursued marine litter pollution knowledge objectives. The knowledge generated by the Biodiversity Protection community has been synthesized here to offer coordinated knowledge and practice in the Mediterranean region and to contribute to both the Mediterranean and international marine litter reduction challenges.},
keywords = {Biodiversity, Conservation and management, Marine litter, Marine protected areas, Mediterranean sea, Pressures},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
The Interreg-Med programme (2014-2020) has co-financed several initiatives that tackle the issue of marine litter. The Mediterranean Biodiversity Protection Community, co-financed by Interreg Med and featured by PANACeA, is one of these networks and aims at ensuring harmonized approaches to provide transferable evidence-based solutions on this growing challenge in the region. Part of the contribution of this Interreg Med community is to increase the evidence and the understanding of marine litter concerns and to reduce the pressures coming from marine litter as well as its impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems in the Mediterranean region.
The main areas of work of this community to date include the compilation of knowledge and available information on monitoring, measures and actions in marine protected areas (MPAs) and beyond, and to provide tools to support biodiversity protection and management to a wide range of stakeholders from local managers to regional policy makers in the Mediterranean region. An insight on projects tackling marine litter policy, management, pressures, impacts and best practices to combat litter in the marine and coastal environment is presented in Table 1. Five projects (out of 11 thematic projects within the Mediterranean Biodiversity Protection Community) have pursued marine litter pollution knowledge objectives. The knowledge generated by the Biodiversity Protection community has been synthesized here to offer coordinated knowledge and practice in the Mediterranean region and to contribute to both the Mediterranean and international marine litter reduction challenges.
The main areas of work of this community to date include the compilation of knowledge and available information on monitoring, measures and actions in marine protected areas (MPAs) and beyond, and to provide tools to support biodiversity protection and management to a wide range of stakeholders from local managers to regional policy makers in the Mediterranean region. An insight on projects tackling marine litter policy, management, pressures, impacts and best practices to combat litter in the marine and coastal environment is presented in Table 1. Five projects (out of 11 thematic projects within the Mediterranean Biodiversity Protection Community) have pursued marine litter pollution knowledge objectives. The knowledge generated by the Biodiversity Protection community has been synthesized here to offer coordinated knowledge and practice in the Mediterranean region and to contribute to both the Mediterranean and international marine litter reduction challenges.
Gomei, M.; Abdulla, A.; Schröder, C.; Yadav, S.; Sánchez-Espinosa, A.; Rodríguez-Rodríguez, D.; Abdul-Malak, D.
Towards 2020: how Mediterranean countries are performing to protect their sea Technical Report
2019.
Links | BibTeX | Tags: Biodiversity, Conservation and management, Environmental conservation, Marine protected areas, Mediterranean sea, Pressures, Protected areas
@techreport{Gomei2019,
title = {Towards 2020: how Mediterranean countries are performing to protect their sea},
author = {M. Gomei and A. Abdulla and C. Schröder and S. Yadav and A. Sánchez-Espinosa and D. Rodríguez-Rodríguez and D. Abdul-Malak},
url = {https://d2ouvy59p0dg6k.cloudfront.net/downloads/towards2020_report_nov2019.pdf},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-11-01},
keywords = {Biodiversity, Conservation and management, Environmental conservation, Marine protected areas, Mediterranean sea, Pressures, Protected areas},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
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