In the oceanographic campaign of INTEMARES in Murcia and south of Alicante, different species of corals of high ecological value have been observed.
The deep sea of southeastern Spain is home to a great wealth of biodiversity. Scientists from the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO) and the University of Alicante have found different species of corals of high ecological value in the Region of Murcia and southern Alicante, within the framework of an oceanographic campaign of the LIFE INTEMARES project, which ended this week.
On board the ship Ángeles Alvariño, from the Spanish Institute of Oceanography, the researchers have explored the seabed of an area of about 2,300 km2, where the underwater canyons of the Escarpe de Mazarrón, and the Seco de Palos seamount mountain are located.
In this area they have located indicator species of vulnerable habitats located at a depth of between 150 and 1,500 meters. The information collected will allow us to advance in the knowledge of the area in order to extend its protection and be declared a Site of Community Importance (SCI) within the Natura 2000 Network in the future.
With this campaign, it has been confirmed that this space is a refuge for yellow corals , bamboo corals, a species of black coral (Leiopathes glaberrima) and several soft corals. They have also confirmed the presence of white hard corals, which were located in the geological campaign that was carried out in 2018.
Researchers have also found large boreal bivalves, such as the endangered giant oyster Neopycnodonte zibrowii, which survive in few places in the ocean.
They have also highlighted the discovery of sea carnations – echinoderms such as stars and urchins – which are protected by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). In addition, they have observed other vulnerable marine invertebrates such as sponges and bryozoans, organisms similar in appearance to corals.
Fossils from glacial periods
This expedition has also improved knowledge about the evolution of marine life in southeastern Spain. Scientists have found fossils of species characteristic of subarctic regions that reached the Mediterranean during glacial periods, such as the Icelandic cyprine clam (Arctica islándica), the boreal mussel (Modiolus modiolus), the pectinid or scallop Chlamys islándica, along with vestiges of very old coral reefs of Madrepora oculata and Lophelia pertusa.
During the campaign, the IEO’s Marine Geosciences group has studied the geology of the area, giving continuity to the work carried out in the 2018 campaign, which will allow the study of areas with a higher probability of hosting sensitive habitats to continue.
The team of researchers who have participated in this campaign will analyse in the coming months the samples and data collected in this campaign, which is part of the project’s action aimed at improving knowledge for the declaration of new marine protected areas within the Natura 2000 Network.
The LIFE IP INTEMARES, coordinated by the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for Ecological Transition, aims to achieve effective management of the marine areas of the Natura 2000 Network with the active participation of the sectors involved and research as basic tools for decision-making.
The General Directorate of Sustainability of the Coast and the Sea of the same ministry, the Spanish Institute of Oceanography, the Spanish Fisheries Confederation, SEO/BirdLife and WWF-Spain participate as partners. It has the financial contribution of the European Union’s LIFE programme, among other sources of funding.
Do you want to know more about the oceanographic campaigns of LIFE IP INTEMARES?
You can follow our twitter @LifeIntemares and through the hashtag #Intemares to find out all the news and marine news. You can also consult the intemares.es website, where you will find all the information about the project.
