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Abstract

Biodiversity Online J

Mapping Seahorses Along the Spanish Coasts: Preliminary Insights from Citizen Science

  • Planas M*, Pereira S, Fernández J and Hernández UJ

    Department of Marine Ecology and Resources, Institute of Marine Investigations (IIM-CSIC), Vigo, Spain

    *Corresponding author:Miquel Planas, INMARE, Department of Marine Ecology and Resources, Institute of Marine Research (IIM-CSIC), Vigo, Spain

Submission: October 04, 2024;Published: October 18, 2024

DOI: 10.31031/BOJ.2024.05.000602

ISSN : 2640-9275
Volume5 Issue1

Abstract

Seahorses are vulnerable due to habitat loss, overfishing, and pollution. Understanding their distribution is crucial for conservation. Citizen Science (CS) initiatives offer valuable tools for collecting large-scale data of marine species, including seahorses. This study used citizen science data to investigate seahorse distribution along the Spanish coast, including Balearic and Canary Islands. Data from the CS platform Observadores del Mar were analyzed for seahorse occurrence. We identified significant gaps in coverage, particularly in the Cantabrian littoral and some Mediterranean areas. The presence of three species were confirmed: H. algiricus (only present in Canary Islands), H. hippocampus, and H. guttulatus (absent in Canary Islands). Notably, our study revealed a lower abundance of H. hippocampus compared to H. guttulatus, especially in the Mediterranean. We also observed a preference for sandy areas and deeper depths in H. hippocampus. Due to the extremely limited observations of H. algiricus, we are unable to provide ecological information at this time. This study highlights
a) The value of CS in understanding seahorse distribution and informing future conservation initiatives, and
b) The need for targeted conservation efforts in areas with scarce seahorse observations.

Keywords:Hippocampus; Seahorse; Distribution; Spain; Citizen science; Conservation

Keywords:Abbreviations:CS: Citizen Science, GIS: Geographic Information System, IUCN: International Union for Conservation of Nature, OdM: Observadores del Mar

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