Scientists from Argentina, along with colleagues from five other countries, gathered in Las Cruces, Chile, to address a critical challenge in ocean protection: the lack of information about macroalgae forests in Latin America. This event was part of the Third Meeting of Spanish-Speaking Macroalgae Mappers.
Protection of Regional Oceans: Role of Macroalgae Forests
The meeting was attended by nearly 80 researchers, professionals, and students, who highlighted the urgency of integrating data on these vital marine structures. Macroalgae are essential for ecological balance, as they provide shelter and breeding grounds for various marine species.
Carolina Pantano, a biologist and Conservation Coordinator at Fundación Por el Mar in Argentina, emphasized the progress made over the past three years. According to Pantano, we now have more advanced tools to map and monitor these ecosystems, which has improved collaboration among scientific teams.
The meeting also underscored the importance of generating comparable data on macroalgae in the region, especially in areas with limited monitoring. The scientific community highlighted that these forests face increasing threats due to ocean warming and human activities.
In addition to being crucial for biodiversity, macroalgae forests capture large amounts of carbon, helping to mitigate climate change. However, pollution and human activity are accelerating their degradation.
Experts concluded that the information generated at this meeting is vital for political and environmental decision-making. The detailed maps will allow for the identification of priority areas for the conservation and management of marine resources.
This type of international collaboration is essential to face current environmental challenges and ensure the preservation of our oceans.
