MoVaFIsU – Monitoring and enhancement of Fucales forests in the MPA Island of Ustica
Staff
18/12/2025
Project sheet
The MoVaFIsU project was created to rediscover the extraordinary biodiversity of the Fucales of the Ustica Island MPA, identifying species of Cystoseira and Sargassum and assessing the viability of the communities they form. Through comparison with historical data from the past 50 years, it is possible to understand how the sea is changing. An online database and herbarium make this knowledge accessible to all, while the MPA laboratory is upgraded with new microscopy technologies. The combination of morphological and molecular analyses and the creation of standardized guidelines make this project an innovative model that can be replicated throughout the Mediterranean.
Keywords
Conservation
Project name
MoVaFIsU – Monitoring and enhancement of Fucales forests in the MPA Island of UsticaDuration
15 months
Location
Marine Protected Area Island Ustica
Responsible organisation
NBFC
Budget
174,700.00€ (NBFC contribution 156,700.00€, beneficiary co-financing 18,000.00€)
Goals
The project is developed around four objectives that combine advanced research and protection of Ustica’s marine heritage:
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Biodiversity of Fucales: exploring and cataloging the diversity of Cystoseira and Sargassum, discovering the hidden richness of these key algae and assessing the viability of the communities they form.
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Comparison with the past: putting current data in dialogue with historical data from the past 50 years to understand how the sea is changing, identifying regressions, new presences or potential disappearances.
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An online database open to all: creating an accessible taxonomic and genetic archive, along with a dedicated herbarium, to make knowledge shared and always up-to-date.
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A stronger and more innovative laboratory: upgrading the WPA laboratory with an optical microscopy section so as to support detailed analysis and increasingly accurate monitoring.
Stakeholders involved
Keeping MoVaFIsU alive is a network of stakeholders who, with different but complementary roles, contribute to the protection of the Ustica Sea. At the center are:
– the managers of the Marine Protected Area, daily custodians of this treasure chest of biodiversity
– Researchers and scientists, who turn data and observations into knowledge
– the local community, visitors and tourists, who are called upon to become attentive observers and ambassadors of the sea
– social organizations and educational institutions, valuable allies in spreading culture, awareness and active participation in protecting the marine ecosystem.
Main expected results
The project aims to generate concrete and lasting results for the knowledge and protection of the Ustica Sea. Mapping and assessment of Fucales will provide an understanding of the distribution and health status of these key algae, while a taxonomic and genetic database will make all the information collected accessible and shareable. Staff training and the new research infrastructure will strengthen the scientific capabilities of the MPA, creating a solid foundation for future studies. At the same time, environmental awareness and education initiatives will engage the community. Finally, the establishment of standardized monitoring guidelines will provide a replicable tool in other marine protected areas in the Mediterranean.
Dissemination of results.
The strength of the project lies in its ability to become a replicable model for other Marine Protected Areas. Theintegration of morphological and molecular analysis provides an extremely precise identification method that can be easily applied in other marine biodiversity studies. Similarly, theuse of advanced microscopy technologies, equipped with photo-documentation systems, can be adopted by many equipped laboratories, improving data quality and comparability. In this way, the project not only enriches knowledge about Ustica, but also charts a shareable path for Mediterranean research.
