Client

European Commission – FP7 Marie Curie Initial Training Network

Region

Mediterranean Sea

Year

2013 – 2016

Areas

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), Genetic Connectivity, Marine Conservation, Ecological Monitoring, Science-Policy Interface

Short Summary

Research and monitoring activities focused on genetic connectivity, biodiversity and ecological effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) across the Mediterranean Sea.

The project contributed to improving scientific understanding of marine population connectivity and supporting the development of management and monitoring approaches for Mediterranean MPA networks.

Key Contributions

• Investigation of genetic connectivity and population structure between Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean Sea.
• Research on genetic diversity and connectivity of Patella species and other marine invertebrates using mitochondrial and microsatellite markers.
• Contribution to ecological monitoring and conservation planning processes for Marine Protected Areas.
• Participation in the development of management and monitoring guidelines supporting Mediterranean MPA networks.
• Collaboration with international researchers and institutions within the European MMMPA programme.

Results & Impact

• Contribution to scientific understanding of ecological connectivity and resilience within Mediterranean Marine Protected Area networks.
• Support for the development of management and monitoring approaches for Marine Protected Areas.
• Contribution to science-policy discussions related to marine conservation and MPA effectiveness.
• Participation in an international multidisciplinary research and training programme focused on marine conservation.

Funding & Partners

Monitoring Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas (MMMPA) Programme — European Commission FP7 Marie Curie Initial Training Network.

Selected Publications & Outputs

• Martí-Puig, P. (2016). Genetic and morphological characteristics of Patella caerulea and Patella rustica in Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas. Doctoral Thesis, University of Bologna.
• Patterns of genetic connectivity in temperate Marine Protected Area networks
  Martí-Puig, P., Costantini, F., Rugiu, L., Ponti, M., & Abbiati, M. (2013). Advances in Oceanography and Limnology.
• Martí-Puig, P., Calò, A., Ponti, M., Costantini, F., Villamor, A., Abbiati, M., & García-Charton, J. (2016).
  Guidelines on genetic connectivity as a tool to evaluate the effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas.
• Martí-Puig, P., Calò, A., Costantini, F., Villamor, A., Abbiati, M., Ponti, M., & García-Charton, J. (2016).
  Genetic connectivity and diversity as a tool to evaluate the effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas.
  In: Monitoring Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas: Guidelines to support management plans.