Digital Knowledge System
Macroalgal Forests and Sea Urchin Grazing
Madeira, Portugal
Driving Factors and Motivations
The restoration of macroalgal forests in Madeira is driven by concerns over their decline due to multiple stressors, including overgrazing by sea urchins, habitat degradation, anthropogenic climate change, coastal development.
These forests are vital to the island’s shallow marine ecosystems offering habitat, food, and nursery grounds that support marine biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.
A healthy macroalgal forest can support local fisheries, improve water quality and contribute to carbon sequestration.
Aims of restoration efforts: Enhance ecological function by re-establishing canopy forming species.
Objective
Increase native macroalgae cover (Sargassum spp.) using forestation techniques.
Implementation
1)
Collect fertile material.
2)
Process in lab for zygotes.
3)
Seed zygotes.
4)
Culture substrates.
5)
Transplant to Modular Artificial Reef Structure (MARS) units.
6)
Submerge MARS units at restoration sites.