What's Happening in the Mediterranean Sea?
The Mediterranean Sea, which covers less than 1% of the world's ocean surface, is home to around 18% of global marine biodiversity. Additionally, it is home to 150 million people along its coast, equivalent to the population of Russia. The sea also sequesters 17.2 million metric tons of CO2 each year.
Recently, journalist Manuela Callari joined Newscast to discuss the Mediterranean Sea's unique biodiversity and the threats it faces. Callari has written for Mongabay, highlighting the threats to purple sea urchins (Paracentrotus lividus) along the Italian coast. These marine invertebrates are crucial for the health of marine ecosystems, such as those in the Mediterranean Sea, helping to regulate algae abundance and serving as food for predators.
Why Does This Matter?
However, sea urchins are being overfished and even hunted in protected areas due to demand for them as the main ingredient in a popular tourist dish: spaghetti ai ricci di mare. "In certain areas of Italy, such as Puglia and Sicily, especially and Sardinia… sea urchins are eaten raw or cooked with spaghetti… because of this, sea urchins have been overfished. There are areas where they no longer exist", says Callari.
Furthermore, as the situation with sea urchins persists, Italy has invested in an unprecedented effort to map its entire submarine coastline using implanted sensors to better understand the marine environment and manage conservation efforts. This is allowing them to identify where Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows, which are "absolutely vital" to the Mediterranean ecosystem, persist, says Callari.
The Mechanism/Science Behind This
The Mediterranean Sea's biodiversity is unique due to its geographical location and climate conditions. The sea is connected to the Atlantic Ocean by the Strait of Gibraltar and is separated from the Black Sea by the Bosphorus. Additionally, the Mediterranean Sea is characterized by a wide variety of habitats, including coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and deep-water areas.
Posidonia oceanica seagrass is one of the most important species in the Mediterranean Sea, providing habitat and food for many other species. However, seagrass is being threatened by pollution, overfishing, and coastal development.
Broader Context
The situation in the Mediterranean Sea is not unique. Seas and oceans around the world are facing similar threats, including pollution, overfishing, and global warming. However, the Mediterranean Sea is particularly vulnerable due to its geographical location and climate conditions.
Furthermore, the Mediterranean Sea's biodiversity is important not only for the marine ecosystem but also for human economy and health. The sea provides food and employment for millions of people and also helps regulate the climate and prevent natural disasters.
What Happens Next
It is essential that urgent measures are taken to protect the Mediterranean Sea's biodiversity. This includes creating protected areas, regulating fishing, and reducing pollution.
Furthermore, it is crucial that more research is conducted on the Mediterranean Sea's biodiversity and the threats it faces. This will help identify the most vulnerable areas and develop effective strategies to protect them.
Conclusion
The Mediterranean Sea's biodiversity is unique and important, but it is facing similar threats to those of other seas and oceans around the world. It is essential that urgent measures are taken to protect it, including creating protected areas, regulating fishing, and reducing pollution.
Furthermore, it is crucial that more research is conducted on the Mediterranean Sea's biodiversity and the threats it faces. This will help identify the most vulnerable areas and develop effective strategies to protect them.
Source / Reference
This article was originally published on Mongabay.