Monitoring Climate-related responses in Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas and beyond: Eleven standard protocols

The MPA-Engage project encourages the use and dissemination of these protocols, which can be shared, downloaded and printed for the needs of every Mediterranean MPA and for use in non-commercial products or services, provided that appropriate acknowledgments of MPA-Engage project as the source and copyright holder is given.

This series of standard protocols provides practical guidance to track climate-related impacts in Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and beyond. The guiding principles and architecture of these tools respond to the requirements of the Ecosystem Approach undertaken under the auspices of UNEP/MAP Barcelona Convention and the EU MSFD, with the ultimate objective of achieving the Good Environmental Status (GES) of the Mediterranean Sea and Coasts. Technically these tools are inspired by the concept of Essential Climate and Ecosystem Variables and focus on a restricted set of simple measurements to capture greater dimensions of environmental change. Indicators have been chosen on the basis of their scientific relevance, feasibility and cost effectiveness. The engagement of local stakeholders is another key ingredient in some of these methodologies. Adopting these protocols, allow participants to join to a common and consolidated strategy to track climate change effects. This will improve, complement or extend the ongoing monitoring initiatives in the different Mediterranean countries.

Proyecto MPA-Engage, project co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.

With the institutional support of the ‘Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2019-000928-S)

Peer reviewed