2023-09-01 10:03:34
It is not necessary to cross the world to discover incredible coral reefs full of life and color. From all over Europe, spain is one of the countries where more marine diversity exists.
A good example is on the island of Ibiza, one of the most demanded and exclusive international destinations. In Ibiza we find, among its submerged wealth, complex and diverse communities of coral reefsin addition to leafy Posidonia Oceanica meadows. Among them the most valuable in the world, declared World Heritage in 1999 for being the largest and longest living being on the planet. For this reason, Spanish entities such as Blue Life FoundationThey focus their efforts on conserve and restore our greatest underwater treasure: the seabed.
Currently, the red Natura 2000European ecological network of biodiversity conservation areas and larger network of protected spaces of the European Union, has declared almost 9% of the Spanish coast as Sites of Community Importance and Special Conservation Areas for its rich biodiversity, in order to ensure the long-term survival of the species and the types of habitat that form them. Strictly protected areas are considered the most effective in restoring biodiversity. The goal for 2030 is protect a minimum of 30% of the marine surface of the country, integrated by areas of high ecological value.
underwater wealth
Los coral reefs constitute the most complex and important of the biostructures of our seas and are key to preserve the health of the seas and oceans. In them, animal and plant life are combined creating a symbiosis in which they need each other to survive. They are the habitat of many species, where they also find food to eat. These types of seabeds constitute the habitats with the greatest biodiversity on our coasts, hosting more than 300 species of algae and some 1,300 identified animals, the 20% of the species present throughout the Mediterranean. In fact, Spain is the second country in the European Union with greater marine biodiversityhousing more than 10,000 species.
environmental alert
The impact currently suffered by coral populations, like many other marine species, It does not have a single origin or causebut rather it is the consequence of several reasons, such as the exploitation of certain coastal areas, the pressure due to the high number of tourists who visit the same territory in a few months a year, the anchoring of boats in an uncontrolled manner, poaching, etc
There are many causes that affect the conservation of our seas and stress the wide variety of species that inhabit them. Therefore, “It is important that we have a multidisciplinary and transversal vision to face this great challenge that we are facing and urgently introduce profound and transformative changes in all sectors of society, actively promoting public-private collaboration and scientific participation of communities. locals and tourists during their stay in this type of initiative.” explains Óscar Caro, president of the Blue Life Foundation, an entity whose goals include the conservation and reforestation of the seabed.
“Among the species most affected by episodes of mass mortality in the Mediterranean, we find some emblematic ones such as coral populations and Posidonia meadows, which are key to maintaining the functioning and biodiversity of the main coastal habitats. In the case of the red Gorgonian (Paramuricea clata), which is found on rocky or coral bottoms, and to which the Foundation pays special attention, it can reach 130 cm in height in the equivalent of 100 years of age.
The white (Eunicella singularis), classified as “near threatened” and another of our research focuses, reaches 55 cm. The high sensitivity to anthropogenic impacts (those caused by humans), the increase in water temperatures and the stress to which they are subjected by heat waves means that once they are affected, their subsequent recovery is very complicated and can cost decades”, adds Óscar Caro.
Alliances for the protection of coral in Spain
Entities such as the Blue Life Foundation, with the support of the Banco Santander Foundation, are pioneers in the implementation of projects that contribute to the conservation and restoration of coral populations through the citizen participation and regenerative tourism.
“Educating and teaching the community, visitors, residents and groups directly involved is essential to implement efficient and effective protection models. The challenge of environmental education is to promote a new relationship between society and its natural environment, involving the present generations in its protection, and ensuring a better personal development and as a society, more just, equitable and sustainable.”, adds Caro.
The Blue Life Foundation pays special attention to dissemination and awareness among the school and educational community, this being one of the pillars of its action for the present and future protection of marine biodiversity and the health of the planet. It also contributes to characterize new coral populations not inventoried in the Mediterranean, with special interest in the Marine Reserve of the northeast coast of Ibiza – Tagomago and in the Natural Reserve of es Vedrà, es Vedranel and es Illots de Ponent, where there is a ” submerged culture” of uninventoried populations of coral on seamounts.
“It is essential to characterize and inform the authorities and the reference research staff of these populations, so that urgent measures can be taken for their effective protection.” Sandra Espeja, Coordinator of the Marine Citizen Science Program in the Balearic Islands of the Marilles Foundation and Observers of the Sea, talks about the importance of coral reefs, which “They are the habitat of many species, providing shelter and food. They protect the coast from wave erosion. In addition, they are great indicators of climate change, because they are seriously affected by changes in temperature..”
Blue Life Foundation, best national marine conservation project
The work of the Blue Life Foundation (Sustainable Ibiza) has recently been recognized by the Santander for the Seas program, of the Banco Santander Foundation, as one of the best national projects in favor of restoring the aquatic bottom of the Mediterranean Sea.
Press contact: Carmen Ibáñez Gil 666 153 497
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