ID: 1670
Presenting Author: AIKATERINI ANASTASOPOULOU
Session: 653 - Biodiversity Impact Assessment: Information Disclosure, Risk Identification, and Legal Regulation
Status: pending
This study assesses marine litter impacts on mesophotic reefs in the Aegean Sea, providing key evidence to guide effective habitat management and restoration actions.
A Biodiversity Impact Assessment (BIA) facilitates the identification of sensitive habitats and species requiring protection. Reef habitats are among the most biodiverse yet fragile marine ecosystems, highly susceptible to anthropogenic pressures such as marine litter (ML) accumulation. Establishing solid evidence on ML impacts is essential for developing effective mitigation and conservation strategies. LIFE DREAM, an EU-funded project implemented in the northern Mediterranean, aiming to protect and restore reef habitats in alignment with the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the forthcoming Nature Restoration Law. Within this framework, the present study assesses the impacts of ML on mesophotic biogenic reefs located within the National Marine Park of Alonissos (Aegean Sea, Greece). Surveys at five sites hosting dense gorgonian and sponge assemblages (40–70 m depth) employed Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) imagery. The assessment protocol focused on benthic habitat characterization and the analysis of ML distribution, type, quantity, biofouling level, and related impacts, emphasizing interactions with vulnerable habitat-forming taxa. Gorgonian health status was assessed through injury type and extent, while litter removal feasibility was evaluated considering accessibility and fouling indicators. Results have revealed the nature and severity of marine litter pressures on mesophotic habitats, providing valuable baseline information to support evidence-based management and restoration planning.
Dr Anastasopoulou is Research Director in the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research with expertise in fisheries biology.
Coauthor 1: MARIA SINI
Coauthor 2: VASSILIKI VASSILOPOULOU