Implementació i pla de comunicació de la restauració d’un bosc de Gongolaria barbata a Port Lligat

Abstract

Mediterranean marine forests, dominated by species of the genera Cystoseira, Ericaria and Gongolaria, are crucial habitats, in terms of diversity, productivity and structural complexity, providing food and habitat for many species. These forests are suffering a generalized regression in recent years due to various threats related to anthropogenic activities, habitat destruction, overgrazing and environmental changes linked to climate change. In this context, the conservation of these habitats is essential for maintaining of ecosystem services. However, when conservation is not sufficient, non-invasive restorations play an important role in recovering the biodiversity and the functionality of these ecosystems. Active restoration actions require the participation of all societal actors, so making a long-term communication strategy is crucial for raising and gaining social support for these actions. In this work, the ex situ restoration of a Gongolaria barbata forest is carried out in the Cap de Creus Natural Park, specifically in Port Lligat. The initial success of the restoration is evaluated based on the period of restoration and the restored areas. An initial analysis of the social perception and the Marine Forests team’s stance towards scientific dissemination is also conducted, to create a communication plan for the project focused on conveying the importance of marine forests to a young audience. The results reveal that restoration is possible in the three areas of the zone, showing an important initial success, and that it is better to start these actions in winter, when the water temperature is lower. The need for long-term monitoring is emphasized to declare a successful restoration in the future, and to pay attention to growth progress during the summer. Finally, a realistic and coherent communication plan is proposed, aligning with the needs and capabilities of the Marine Forests team. The plan identifies the most direct actions and the formats most commonly used by the target audience are determined. It highlights the importance of using new dissemination channels, in addition to conventional ones, such as social media and, specifically, TikTok, an application with a high dissemination potential among young people