Abstract

Marine organisms evolve naturally through gradual changes in time, in conjunction with varying environmental parameters (e.g. solar radiation, temperature, salinity, nutrient availability). Hence, any sudden changes (natural or unnatural) in the biotic or abiotic components of an ecosystem will inevitably have an impact. There are numerous examples where rapid changes have had an adverse effect on important habitats and/or vulnerable species.
Considering that the Levantine Sea, the easternmost and the least nutrient-rich part of the Mediterranean, is a marine laboratory where ecological processes develop in demanding environmental conditions due to damaging human activities and climate change, there is no lack of examples.

The lecture will look briefly on the research done in Cyprus with respect to identifying the disturbances caused by human-related activities (e.g. invasive species, over-fishing) and climate change (e.g. mortality events from increased temperatures), as well as proposed conservation measures.

About The Speaker

Dr Louis Hadjioannou is a biologist specializing in marine biodiversity/ecology of Cyprus and with expertise in the effects of marine protected areas, invasive species and artificial reefs on fisheries (and vice versa) and a special interest on the effects of natural and anthropogenic disturbances in priority habitats and vulnerable species.

He co-founded the NGO Enalia Physis Environmental Research Centre in 2009, with the aim of conducting and promoting environmental research and encouraging/enhancing education and ecological awareness of the general public in Cyprus. Dr Hadjioannou is currently serving as the research director.

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