Artificial Marine Structures (AMS): Multifunctional Tool for Research and Environmental Management in the Mediterranean and Red Sea (MED–RED)

The research project proposed by the University of Tel Aviv aims at quantifying the environmental and ecological impacts (either positive or negative) of AMS in coastal habitats. Changes in costal landscapes related to introduction of artificial structures are a global issue affecting patterns of species distribution over broad geographic scales. Comparing environmental changes induced by AMS in different bio-geographic regions (e.g. Red Sea, Eastern Mediterranean and Western Mediterranean sites) allows a better understanding of the artificial habitat ecology and a generalisation of the results. The project is relevant to the goals of the Barcelona Convention aimed at taking all appropriate measures to protect and preserve biological diversity, rare or fragile ecosystems, as well as species of wild fauna and flora which are rare, depleted, threatened or endangered and their habitats. Furthermore, it can provide useful tools to promote an Integrated Costal Zone Management following the EU directives. In the frame of the project proposed by the University of Tel Aviv, CIRSA could address 3 major issues: 1) Analysis of the distribution of benthic assemblages on AMS over large spatial scales; 2) AMS as a potential vector for the spread of exotic and pest species; 3) molecular investigations on settlement processes and dispersal pathways of benthic species on AMS.