By Gaynor Rosier
At Kenna Eco Diving, a non-profit marine conservation research center in the Mediterranean, scuba divers from all over the world can join in marine research surveys as part of a diving vacation, making a real difference for marine conservation, rather than just being part of a dive shoal. Marine biology students can also gain valuable fieldwork experience by studying coastal ecology and biodiversity as volunteer research-divers with Kenna Eco Diving.
Posidonia oceanica, also called Neptune grass, is a seagrass unique to the Mediterranean. This keystone species has been found to support up to 700 different species per square meter, and is a breeding ground and nursery for commercially important fish species.
Seagrasses are amongst the most powerful carbon sinks in the world. Known as “the lungs of the Mediterranean,” because it releases large amounts of oxygen, Posidonia oceanica provides an oxygen-rich environment in and above the leaf canopy. In addition, it moderates pH on the seabed in Posidonia meadows, thereby providing a refuge for marine life that is susceptible to the effects of ocean acidification.
The Posidonia pipefish, Syngnathus typhle, is totally dependent on the Posidonia habitat for daily food and shelter, and as a breeding ground and nursery. It is perfectly adapted to the habitat and has evolved to resemble a blade of seagrass.
Both species of European seahorse, the short-snouted (Hippocampus hippocampus) and the spiny seahorse, (Hippocampus guttulatus), also live in the Posidonia meadows. Unfortunately, sightings by scuba divers have dwindled over the past decade as the seagrass beds are eroded each summer by unregulated pleasure-boat anchoring.
Having discovered a male and female pair of spiny seahorses in October 2013, this summer scuba volunteers are going to conduct a full population survey. We will record sightings and details of the two seahorse species and two pipefish species, Syngnathus typhle and Syngnathus arcus. Using transects at intervals around the bay, we hope to gain a detailed picture of the numbers and range of these elusive species in order to build a case for improved protection of their habitat.
While protected by law in in Catalonia, Spain and Europe, Posidonia oceanica requires active conservation. The bay we will be studying is already included within a Natural Park. Although mooring buoys are made available during the peak tourist season, there are no warning signs alerting boaters to the presence of this important ecosystem.
Volunteering with Kenna Eco Diving is open to international divers who want to spend a few weeks or months, from May to October, helping to collect data that contributes to the understanding of Mediterranean coastal biodiversity and the impacts upon important ecosystems.
BIO:
Gaynor Rosier has been carrying out research into Posidonia oceanica and associated species for the past 15 years with Kenna Eco Diving. She is a voluntary coordinator for the SILMAR Project, responsible for collecting key-species data at two underwater research stations. She is also involved in gathering photographic data for marine research scientists at Barcelona University, and in collecting Opisthobranch species (e.g. nudibranchs) data.
