The project aims to optimise the management of Posidonia oceanica remains to mitigate coastal erosion and promote adaptation to climate change.

Optimising the management of Posidonia oceanica remains to mitigate coastal erosion and adapt to climate change has been the objective of the project “The role of Posidonia oceanica in the adaptation of coasts to climate change” of the Institute of Coastal Ecology, which has had the support of the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for Ecological Transition through its call for grants.

Due to a problem in beach management, both environmental and social, due to the accumulation of landings (leaves and debris), mainly of the marine phanerogam Posidonia oceanica. The removal of the landings, in addition to altering the natural image of the beaches, can interfere with adaptation to climate change, if the role that this plant plays in mitigating this phenomenon is taken into account.

The GESTARR project has focused on the municipal management of plant landings. Two pilot municipalities in Alicante have been selected on an experimental basis: Santa Pola and El Campello. In these pilot areas, coastal processes and their effects due to natural events or human actions have been studied. Likewise, a methodology for beach monitoring has been developed that seeks to respond to the demands for information on dynamism and evolution to managers. The results of the monitoring show a generally positive evolution over the last year, although it is necessary to continue collecting data to obtain a historical series that provides accurate information.

Awareness-raising activities have also been included, in the form of the publication of a general awareness-raising guide entitled “Posidonia and Climate Change” and another aimed at professionals “The role of Posidonia oceanica in adaptation to climate change. Guide for beach managers”. All these actions have been completed with an outreach activity, a travelling exhibition entitled “Posidonia and Climate Change”.