Researchers from the University of Algarve / CCMAR, Portugal, are receiving training through MPA4Change project in standardized protocols for climate change monitoring and adaptation. After adjusting the protocols to their regional context, this monitoring will allow accounting for climate change impacts in Atlantic MPAs.
The Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina, in Portugal, is one of the marine parks in Southwest Europe where socio-ecological monitoring methods have been applied since its implementation as a Marine Protected Area (MPA) in 2011. However, the climate change component has not been fully incorporated into the original assessment until this year 2024.
Currently, researchers from the Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR) of the University of Algarve, one of the partner organisations of MPA4Change project, are adapting and integrating the project´s protocols to account for this urgent need. After having participated in the MPA4Change´s technical training campaign held in Cape Greco, Cyprus, in May 2024, the climate change impacts monitoring work has started with some challenges to face.
Underwater fish visual censuses – understanding the impacts of ocean warming on fish populations
Diving team testing the fish census and mass mortality protocols in an MPA is Southwest Portugal, Sagres – September 2024 – Photo by Inês Sousa (CCMAR, Portugal)
The monitoring campaign carried out from the hand of CCMAR on the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina has started with the implementation of two protocols: the fish censuses and the analysis of mass mortality in gorgonians´ populations. These protocols are being conducted through scientific diving, mainly by scientists, but training sessions for divers in local clubs will soon be held with the aim of involving citizens in the monitoring processes.
The protocol on Mediterranean Fish Visual Census for climate change indicators” provided by MPA4Change, is been used to assess climate change impacts on fish populations in this region due to the increase on water temperature. It provides a simple methodology to monitor changes in distribution and abundance on a set of coastal Mediterranean fishes.
These species are selected according to their thermal affinity and origin in order to act as indicators of ocean warming. However, in order to be utilised in Atlantic Ocean, the protocol had to be adjusted: Atlantic species were selected based on their geographical distribution and thermal tolerance. The new species chosen included two with affinities for cold waters (temperate-boreal), the ballan wrasse (Labrus bergylta) and the goldsinny wrasse (Ctenolabrus rupestris), and two with affinities for warm waters (tropical and subtropical), the bastard grunt (Pomadasys incisus) and the African striped grunt (Parapristipoma octolineatum).
Portugal is in a transition zone between cold and warm waters and as ocean warms, changes in marine biodiversity can be a ‘barometer’ of climate change. In the Portuguese study area, northward range shifts of some species are expected in the future (as well as potential shifts to greater depths) towards cooler temperatures, with a decrease in the former species and an increase in the latter. Long term monitoring can detect those changes and support actions.
Monitoring sea temperature and assessing vulnerability to climate change
Additionally, and following MPA4Change´s protocols, the sea temperature monitoring is also been performed through the installation of thermal sensors at depths of 5–40m in the Martinhal no-take zone (Sagres) of this MPA.
HOBO TidbiT MX temperature data logger installed in Sagres, July 2024 – Photo by CCMAR Scientific Diving Center.
However, the data collected through this sensors will not only benefit the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina, as this set of sensors are integrated in the international T-MED network. Tis network is a pan-Mediterranean initiative that compiles data on temperature and impacts from climate change in several sites across the Mediterranean with long time series (some sites have >10-year data series), allowing to get a better understanding of climate change impacts at a broader scale.
In parallel to the monitoring actions, a socio-ecological vulnerability assessments of the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina to climate change is being developed, aiming to understand its susceptibility to climate impacts and provide park managers with mitigation and adaptation tools.
It is anticipated that the use of these methods will contribute to more effective monitoring of MPAs, thereby improving their management and ensuring the fulfilment of their marine biodiversity conservation goals.
