2026-04-13T06:57:37Zhttps://recercat.cat/oai/request

oai:recercat.cat:10256/149922024-06-18T14:33:47Zcom_2072_452955com_2072_2054col_2072_452959

00925njm 22002777a 4500 dc Garrabou, Joaquim author Sala, Enric author Linares, Cristina author Ledoux, Jean-Baptiste author Montero Serra, Ignasi author Dominici, Jean Marie author Kipson, Silvija author Teixidó, Núria author Cebrian Pujol, Emma author Kersting, Diego K. author Harmelin, Jean G. author 2017-02-15 Overexploitation leads to the ecological extinction of many oceanic species. The depletion of historical abundances of large animals, such as whales and sea turtles, is well known. However, the magnitude of the historical overfishing of exploited invertebrates is unclear. The lack of rigorous baseline data limits the implementation of efficient management and conservation plans in the marine realm. The precious Mediterranean red coral Corallium rubrum has been intensively exploited since antiquity for its use in jewellery. It shows dramatic signs of overexploitation, with no untouched populations known in shallow waters. Here, we report the discovery of an exceptional red coral population from a previously unexplored shallow underwater cave in Corsica (France) harbouring the largest biomass (by more than 100-fold) reported to date in the Mediterranean. Our findings challenge current assumptions on the pristine state of this emblematic species. Our results suggest that, before intense exploitation, red coral lived in relatively high-density populations with a large proportion of centuries-old colonies, even at very shallow depths. We call for the re-evaluation of the baseline for red coral and question the sustainability of the exploitation of a species that is still common but ecologically (functionally) extinct and in a trajectory of further decline http://hdl.handle.net/10256/14992 Coralls -- Mediterrània, Mar Extinció (Biologia) -- Mediterrània, Mar Corals -- Mediterranean Sea Extintion (Biology) -- Mediterranean Sea Biologia de la conservació Conservation biology Re-shifting the ecological baseline for the overexploited Mediterranean red coral