State of knowledge on key eco-evolutionary processes and factors driving the resilience of the shallow hard bottoms and mesophotic habitats

Abstract

The main goal of Deliverable 3.1. is to synthetize the information available on key eco-evolutionary processes and factors to guide the development of novel and efficient restoration actions to be planned, developed and performed within WP3. We focused on macroalgae and mesophotic coralligenous habitats since i) there are increasing evidences of relevant changes and lost of these two habitats across the whole Europe and ii) they are featured by the presence of species that are considered critical for the functioning of the coastal marine systems. In addition, these habitats display contrasted characteristics in terms of dominant groups (macroalgal species vs. macroinvertebrate), driving processes (trophic interactions-physical factors vs. competition), dynamics (fast vs. low turnover) and environmental conditions (shallow-light vs. deep-dim light habitats). [...]