2026-04-19T10:34:49Zhttps://recercat.cat/oai/request

oai:recercat.cat:2445/2289712026-04-17T22:16:07Zcom_2072_1057col_2072_478778

00925njm 22002777a 4500 dc Sarda, Julia author Gori, Andrea author Doñate-Ordóñez, Ruth author Viladrich Canudas, Núria author Costantini, Federica author Garrabou, Joaquim author Linares Prats, Cristina author 2026-04-16T08:10:15Z 2026-04-16T08:10:15Z 2025-01-01 2026-04-16T08:10:16Z Mediterranean gorgonians are being threatened by the impact of recurrent extreme climatic events, such as marine heatwaves (MHWs). The white gorgonian Eunicella singularis was suggested to be the most resistant gorgonian species in the NW Mediterranean, mainly due to the presence of symbiotic algae. However, a substantial shift in the conservation condition of the species has been observed in the recent years. The aim of this study is to evaluate the lethal and sublethal effects of recent MHWs on the populations of E. singularis. Our results show that recurrent MHWs have impacted both the demography and reproduction of the species between 2002 and 2020, driving mortalities up to 36%, an increase in the percentages of non-reproducing adult colonies (11–58%), and a significant decrease in the recruitment rates. Although E. singularis is a highly dynamic species in comparison with other temperate gorgonians, the present study suggests that the persistence of this species may be severely compromised under recurrent MHWs, at least at shallowest depths. Mediterrània (Mar) Població Onades Mediterranean Sea Population Ocean waves Recurrent marine heatwaves compromise the reproduction success and long-term viability of shallow populations of the Mediterranean gorgonian Eunicella singularis