Posidonia oceanica: Positive Signs of Growth in the Marine Protected Area of Baia degli Infreschi
Monitoring activities are successfully continuing at the experimental site for the restoration of Posidonia oceanica meadows damaged by anchoring, established within the framework of the project in the Marine Protected Area of Baia degli Infreschi, in the Cilento region (Southern Italy).
Researchers from ISPRA, with operational support from the Underwater Unit of the Carabinieri in Naples, are observing a significant increase in the rooting success of transplanted posidonia cuttings in the intervention area. This encouraging result supports the effectiveness of the “re-stitching” technique being tested by the project, which has already shown promising outcomes in other pilot areas such as the Marine Protected Area of Asinara and the La Maddalena Archipelago National Park, where an 80–90% survival rate of the transplanted shoots has been recorded.
This initiative is part of the project’s broader strategy of active marine ecosystem restoration, aiming to recover key habitats for biodiversity and enhance natural carbon sinks for climate change mitigation.
Monitoring of Posidonia oceanica Meadow Mat Restorations
On March 31st and April 1st, 2025, ISPRA researchers, with the support of staff from the La Maddalena Archipelago National Park, carried out monitoring activities on the experimental restorations of Posidonia oceanica meadow mats.
The intervention, conducted as part of Action C5 of the SeaForest LIFE project, focused on the cuttings transplanted in November 2023 and April 2024, using coconut fiber mats placed on the seabed.
The monitoring results are extremely positive: a 90% survival rate of the transplanted cuttings was recorded, confirming the effectiveness of the experimental restoration technique and representing a significant step forward in the protection and recovery of sensitive marine habitats.
This initiative is part of concrete actions aimed at conserving the Park's underwater ecosystems and combating the loss of marine biodiversity.
📺 To learn more, watch the feature by Teleregione Live – Sardegna:
👉 LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R92kPVO7lpg
event program July 24, 2020
The program is defined!!!
We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday, July 24, for a day organized by the Seaforest LIFE project: an opportunity for exchange to raise awareness about sustainable methods and good management practices for Beach Seagrass!
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Don't miss it, REGISTER HERE: https://forms.gle/D6bTxwEEz9UfdH3K8
👉Event organized at the headquarters of the 'National Park Authority of Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni
👉Also available online link: https://meet.google.com/jjn-zhjs-rzk
SEAFOREST EVENT, Wednesday, July 24, 2024
SAVE THE DATE !!! On Wednesdy, July 24, 2024, a National Workshop on the topic of management of beached Posidonia oceanica will be held at the Cilento Vallo Diano and Alburni National Park in Castellabate at Villa Matarazzo. The title of the event is "Beached Posidonia, sustainable methods for active management" . The event will be attended by beneficiaries of the LIFE SeaForest project, but also by public institutions, scientific research, and the business world, which in various capacities have developed experiences on this issue. Follow the news on the website and Facebook page, the final program will be published in the coming days.
Ecosystem services
Posidonia oceanica meadows provide important ecosystem services, i.e. multiple benefits provided by ecosystems to mankind. Through the development of the SEAFOREST methodology for estimating the carbon sinks of Posidonia beds, it was also possible to assess the economic value of the ecosystem benefits in the project areas. For example, for the 'carbon sequestration' service, the SEAFOREST methodology estimates the net reductions and removals of greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the implementation of planned project activities, such as mooring camps, and implemented for the restoration of Posidonia oceanica meadows in the marine protected areas included in the project.
More information on the SEAFOREST methodology and the ecosystem services offered by posidonia beds can be found on the website in the PROJECT tab (PRODUCTS SECTION) Action C1
