Major marine biodiversity hotspots occur within and around extended three-dimensional communities known as Marine Animal Forests (MAF). MAF are biotic assemblages mainly composed of suspension-feeding organisms like sponges, gorgonians, hard corals, bryozoans, bivalves, etc., that form canopies like the trees or shrubs on land, thus creating underwater forests. These submersed forests provide ecosystem services which are essential for hundreds of million people worldwide. These ecosystem services are under increasing anthropogenic pressure and need a clear unifying picture to be shared with stakeholders and public. The network aims to develop an integrative vision that will fuel research and steer future policies on crosscutting sustainability-driven issues related to the fragmented governance of these benthic ecosystems in coastal and open ocean waters, creating cross-sectoral platform for partners across academia, policymaking and civil society, offering a transdisciplinary dialogue.
| Code: | CA20102 |
| Type: | Internazionale - COST ACTION |
| Start: | 04/10/2021 |
| End: | 03/10/2025 |
| Amount: | 640k approx |
| Leader: | NO |
| Referent: | LUCIA RIZZO |
