Daniele GRECH, PILLONI Z., BURTON M., SERRA E., BRUNDU G., BAROLI M.,
PORPORATO E.M.D., MASSARO G., CECCHERELLI G., CERRI J.,
AZZURRO E.
IMC - International Marine Centre, Oristano, ITALY
E-mail: d.grech@fondazioneimc.it
A LOCAL ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE APPROACH FOR A
COLLABORATIVE NIS MAPPING IN SARDINIA (ITALY)
Abstract
The Mediterranean basin is among those areas of the world most affected by the introduction of
Non-Indigenous Species (NIS). NIS are a growing driver of change for terrestrial and aquatic
ecosystems, but their management and presence evaluation within the decision-making
process,is often constrained by the lack of spatially-explicit information, such as about their
presence, abundance and spatial distribution (mapping). Therefore, considerable efforts are
devoted in collecting this information, for example through biodiversity inventories, which are
nevertheless demanding and complementary sources of information such as Local Ecological
Knowledge (LEK) raise growing interest. The aim of this study is to investigate the spatiotemporal changes of the distribution of NIS in Oristano lagoons, Sardinia (Western
Mediterranean Sea). This island, with more than 1.800 km of coastline and almost 500 km
2 of
wetlands (ca. 2% of the Sardinian territory) represents a biodiversity hotspot where field-based
NIS inventories are demanding due to the extension of these ecosystems and the lack of in-depth
research. NIS occurrence and temporal dynamics were quantified by eliciting the LEK of smallscale fishers, in order to evaluate the perceived distribution and historical changes. Local
fishermen have been asked to draw the distribution of selected species on pre-printed maps,
indicating areas characterized by different perceived abundances. The abundance of each
species was rated on an ordinal scale, according to LEK standard protocol, from 0 (Absent) to
5 (Dominant, always in captures and abundant). Afterwards, maps were digitized on a GIS and
abundances overlapped and synthesized in a unique layer per species. These findings will
contribute to consolidate the use of participatory mapping approach in relation to the
increasing ecological and socio-economic pressures posed by marine bioinvasions, providing
new insights for spatially informed management of NIS in Sardinia coastal waters.
Key-words: Callinectes sapidus, Invasive species, LEK, citizen science, participatory mapping
Introduction
Coastal areas are systems where biota is subject to high anthropic pressure, both from
the use and exploitation of habitats and resources (fishing, tourism, etc.) and from
pollution due to the presence of human settlements and productive activities (industry,
agriculture, etc.). Their high natural variability, the great productive potential, the role
in the life cycle of many species of conservation and commercial interest, and the
multiple uses that converge on coastal lagoons, represent a major challenge from the
point of view of conservation, management and spatial planning (Garrabou et al., 2018).
The Mediterranean basin is one of the most affected areas by the introduction of NonIndigenous Species (NIS). They represent increasing changing factors for terrestrial and
aquatic ecosystems, but their management and presence evaluation in decision-making
processes are often limited by the lack of detailed information, such as their presence,
abundance and spatial distribution (mapping) (Azzurro and Cerri, 2021). Indeed, a first
2nd Mediterranean Symposium on the Non-Indigenous Species (Genoa, Italy, 22-23 September 2022)
42
PORPORATO E.M.D., MASSARO G., CECCHERELLI G., CERRI J.,
AZZURRO E.
IMC - International Marine Centre, Oristano, ITALY
E-mail: d.grech@fondazioneimc.it
A LOCAL ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE APPROACH FOR A
COLLABORATIVE NIS MAPPING IN SARDINIA (ITALY)
Abstract
The Mediterranean basin is among those areas of the world most affected by the introduction of
Non-Indigenous Species (NIS). NIS are a growing driver of change for terrestrial and aquatic
ecosystems, but their management and presence evaluation within the decision-making
process,is often constrained by the lack of spatially-explicit information, such as about their
presence, abundance and spatial distribution (mapping). Therefore, considerable efforts are
devoted in collecting this information, for example through biodiversity inventories, which are
nevertheless demanding and complementary sources of information such as Local Ecological
Knowledge (LEK) raise growing interest. The aim of this study is to investigate the spatiotemporal changes of the distribution of NIS in Oristano lagoons, Sardinia (Western
Mediterranean Sea). This island, with more than 1.800 km of coastline and almost 500 km
2 of
wetlands (ca. 2% of the Sardinian territory) represents a biodiversity hotspot where field-based
NIS inventories are demanding due to the extension of these ecosystems and the lack of in-depth
research. NIS occurrence and temporal dynamics were quantified by eliciting the LEK of smallscale fishers, in order to evaluate the perceived distribution and historical changes. Local
fishermen have been asked to draw the distribution of selected species on pre-printed maps,
indicating areas characterized by different perceived abundances. The abundance of each
species was rated on an ordinal scale, according to LEK standard protocol, from 0 (Absent) to
5 (Dominant, always in captures and abundant). Afterwards, maps were digitized on a GIS and
abundances overlapped and synthesized in a unique layer per species. These findings will
contribute to consolidate the use of participatory mapping approach in relation to the
increasing ecological and socio-economic pressures posed by marine bioinvasions, providing
new insights for spatially informed management of NIS in Sardinia coastal waters.
Key-words: Callinectes sapidus, Invasive species, LEK, citizen science, participatory mapping
Introduction
Coastal areas are systems where biota is subject to high anthropic pressure, both from
the use and exploitation of habitats and resources (fishing, tourism, etc.) and from
pollution due to the presence of human settlements and productive activities (industry,
agriculture, etc.). Their high natural variability, the great productive potential, the role
in the life cycle of many species of conservation and commercial interest, and the
multiple uses that converge on coastal lagoons, represent a major challenge from the
point of view of conservation, management and spatial planning (Garrabou et al., 2018).
The Mediterranean basin is one of the most affected areas by the introduction of NonIndigenous Species (NIS). They represent increasing changing factors for terrestrial and
aquatic ecosystems, but their management and presence evaluation in decision-making
processes are often limited by the lack of detailed information, such as their presence,
abundance and spatial distribution (mapping) (Azzurro and Cerri, 2021). Indeed, a first
2nd Mediterranean Symposium on the Non-Indigenous Species (Genoa, Italy, 22-23 September 2022)
42