Marine Animal Forests (MAFs, i.e. sponges, corals, bryozoans, etc.) are, by far, the most prominent living three-dimensional benthic structures occurring in the oceans. Due to their crucial role in marine biodiversity and ecosystem functioning and sensitiveness to ongoing global changes, MAFs are recognized by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) as the largest biomes on Earth. Large gaps in knowledge are also generally present as to MAFs? role as providers of ecosystem services, how they will respond to environmental changes, and on the potential solutions to protect these complex structures. The main objective of the project is to correlate biodiversity status with ecosystem functioning and services by integrating different approaches within Nature 2000 sites, facing the challenge of biodiversity conservation together with a sustainable use of marine resources.
| Partners: | Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Università del Salento |
| Code: | P2022NA3F7, CUP-CNR B53D23023660001 |
| Type: | Nazionale - PRIN PNRR 2022 |
| Start: | 01/12/2023 |
| End: | 01/12/2025 |
| Amount: | 237k |
| Leader: | SI |
| Referent: | LUCIA RIZZO |
