The Project

The Mediterranean is a semi-enclosed sea, nestled between Eurasia and Africa and connected to the Atlantic Ocean through a natural channel only 14 kilometres wide, the Strait of Gibraltar. It is considered an oligotrophic sea but, thanks to its geological history and particular conformation, it hosts over 17,000 marine species.

However, the same characteristics that make the Mediterranean Sea so rich in diversity also make it more vulnerable. Its coasts are among the most densely populated on the globe, maritime traffic is intense, and marine resources are overexploited.  Moreover, climate change seems to be faster and more intense in the Mediterranean regions: the flow of nutrients carried by large rivers is reduced due to drought, while surface waters are becoming increasingly warmer.

The Mediterranean is a semi-enclosed sea, nestled between Eurasia and Africa and connected to the Atlantic Ocean through a natural channel only 14 kilometres wide, the Strait of Gibraltar. It is considered an oligotrophic sea but, thanks to its geological history and particular conformation, it hosts over 17,000 marine species.

However, the same characteristics that make the Mediterranean Sea so rich in diversity also make it more vulnerable. Its coasts are among the most densely populated on the globe, maritime traffic is intense, and marine resources are overexploited.  Moreover, climate change seems to be faster and more intense in the Mediterranean regions: the flow of nutrients carried by large rivers is reduced due to drought, while surface waters are becoming increasingly warmer.

The PROMED project (PROtecting Mediterranean Diversity) studies cetaceans of the Mediterranean Sea through a large international research network, consisting of over 30 partners. Data collected in the different study areas are shared on the Intercet platform, allowing researchers to map  species distribution and track the movements of individua animals.
Researchers will work to predict the effects of climate change by applying modern mathematical analysis systems to data shared on the Intercet platform. These "predictive models" will help develop new strategies to protect cetaceans and preserve the biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea.

PROMED is a project funded by the Aderholt/Goh Trust for the 2024-2026 triennium.

Contacts

For contacts: +39.010.2345.285
For reports (whatsapp messages only): +39.3791538203
info@promed.org