New publication: Climate-Driven Habitat Shifts in Brown Algal Forests: Insights from the Adriatic Sea

Researchers from the Marine Biology Station Piran (National Institute of Biology) and the University of Maribor explored how climate change is affecting the underwater forests of brown algae in the Adriatic Sea. These marine “forests” are vital habitats that support marine life and help keep coastal ecosystems healthy.

By combining field observations with habitat distribution analyses, the team found that rising sea temperatures and changing environmental conditions are reducing and shifting suitable habitats for brown algal forests. As a result, these underwater forests are shrinking or moving to new areas, with potential consequences for the species that depend on them and for the functioning of coastal ecosystems as a whole.

The study highlights that without stronger conservation and climate mitigation efforts, ongoing climate change will continue to reshape these valuable marine habitats. The findings underline the importance of long-term monitoring and adaptive management to safeguard marine ecosystems in a rapidly changing climate.

You can read the full study at: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/14/2/196

Predicted average Cystoseira s.l. habitat suitability for the 2090–2100 time window. More results can be found in the article.