Mediterranean Biodiversity Hotspots: Patterns, Trends, and Conservation Challenges
A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818). This special issue belongs to the section "Marine Diversity".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2026 | Viewed by 773
Special Issue Editors
Interests: marine ecology; marine biology; marine botany; restoration ecology; biodiversity; conservation
Interests: marine macroalgae; taxonomy; mediterranean sea
2. NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center-Palermo, Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy
Interests: mediterranean marine algae; marine protected areas; biological invasions; citizen science
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The Mediterranean Basin is recognized as one of the most significant Global Biodiversity Hotspots (GBH), hosting a vast array of endemic marine fauna and flora. Despite its ecological importance, this basin is exceptionally susceptible to anthropogenic impacts. Key drivers threatening this rich biodiversity include climate warming, the introduction and spread of invasive alien species, habitat destruction, pollution, and eutrophication.
In this context, it is imperative to assess the conservation status of threatened species and propose effective management, conservation, and restoration strategies to ensure their long-term persistence. Evaluating these statuses requires not only the collection of contemporary data, but also a rigorous comparison with historical records to identify and interpret long-term trends and ecological patterns.
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), particularly No-Take Zones (NTZs), are internationally recognized as essential tools for biodiversity conservation. By minimizing human interference, MPAs provide a sanctuary for endemic and endangered species. Furthermore, these areas can function as refugia, facilitating species repopulation and habitat recovery in surrounding regions.
This Special Issue aims to expand our understanding of Mediterranean marine biodiversity by investigating species and habitat patterns, identifying primary stressors, and addressing the challenges of effective conservation and restoration. We also welcome contributions that explore the pivotal role of MPAs in safeguarding Mediterranean ecosystems.
Dr. Giuliana Marletta
Dr. Donatella Serio
Dr. Anna Maria Mannino
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- marine mediterranean biodiversity
- conservation and restoration
- marine protected areas (MPAs)
- endemic species
- anthropogenic impacts
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