The Biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea: Estimates, Patterns, and Threats
Dalhousie University · Institut Català de Ciències del Clima · +25 more institutions
Abstract
The Mediterranean Sea is a marine biodiversity hot spot. Here we combined an extensive literature analysis with expert opinions to update publicly available estimates of major taxa in this marine ecosystem and to revise and update several species lists. We also assessed overall spatial and temporal patterns of species diversity and identified major changes and threats. Our results listed approximately 17,000 marine species occurring in the Mediterranean Sea. However, our estimates of marine diversity are still incomplete as yet-undescribed species will be added in the future. Diversity for microbes is substantially underestimated, and the deep-sea areas and portions of the southern and eastern region are still…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 56.34
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 686
Authors
38- MCMarta CollCorresponding
Dalhousie University, Institut Català de Ciències del Clima, Institut de Ciències del Mar
- CPChiara PiroddiCorresponding
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, University of British Columbia
- JSJeroen SteenbeekCorresponding
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, University of British Columbia
- KKKristin KaschnerCorresponding
University of Freiburg
- FBFrida Ben Rais LasramCorresponding
Université de Montpellier, Institut National Agronomique de Tunisie
Topics & keywords
- Biodiversity
- Overexploitation
- Mediterranean climate
- Mediterranean sea
- Geography
- Marine ecosystem
- Habitat destruction
- Ecology
- Life below water