The flourishing of Laminaria ochroleuca in the strait of Messina (Sicily, Italy): resilience population between “Scylla and Charybdis”

Abstract

The kelp forest and bed of Laminaria ochroleuca were found in October 2023 in Porticello (Scylla -Reggio Calabria, Italy) between 48 and 55 m depth. Samples were collected for future genetic and sedimentological analyses and identification of associated fauna and flora. The aim of the upcoming research campaigns is to update the current knowledge of Laminaria forests in the Messina Strait, estimating the action and consequences of climate change at the local level. The project will involve the community of technical divers in long term monitoring (3–5 years), in order to measure ecosystem services. The information will be used to draft a policy document for the proposal of protected areas of the most extensive forests.

Keywords:

• Laminaria ochroleuca
• forests
• beds
• Scylla
• strait of Messina
• Mediterranean sea

Acknowledgments

We thank Sergio Riccardo for supplementary and detailed photographic documentation.

Disclosure statement

Authors declare they have no competing conflicts of interest in the study.

Additional information

Funding

T.G, F.R. and A.M.M. acknowledge the support of the Project and funded under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), Mission 4 Component 2 Investment 1.4—Call for tender No. 3138 of 16 December 2021, rectified by Decree n.3175 of 18 December 2021 of Italian Ministry of University and Research funded by the European Union—NextGenerationEU. Project code CN_00000033, Concession Decree No. 1034 of 17 June 2022 adopted by the Italian Ministry of University and Research, CUP C63C22000520001 project title “National Biodiversity Future Center - NBFC”.