Per la Setmana de la Ciència, tornen les minixerrades científiques dins el tren de Sóller. 

Abstract

Did you know there are winged ghosts in the sea? European Storm-Petrels, often called "sea ghosts," are tiny seabirds that glide unnoticed across the ocean, searching for food. Tagging such small and elusive creatures has been one of the greatest challenges in ecology, but recent advances in GPS miniaturization have finally allowed us to lift the veil on their mysterious journeys. We tracked 39 storm-petrels from four colonies across the Western Mediterranean using GPS devices. By combining tracking data with oceanographic features, we not only uncovered the key areas where these birds prefer to forage, but we also found that these birds are highly selective, favoring waters with specific environmental conditions. Using this knowledge, we created predictive maps of the best foraging spots, revealing crucial hotspots in the Mediterranean. However, many of these areas lack Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), leaving them vulnerable to overfishing and human impacts.

Abstract

Fish movement plays a crucial role in ecosystem dynamics and has significant implications for the management of species targeted by commercial and recreational fisheries. In this talk, we will present an overview of our research using advanced bio-logging techniques (acoustic telemetry) to study the movement and behaviour of species of commercial and ecological importance in the Balearic Islands. Using high-resolution tracking systems, we have revealed the space use variability and the social structure of an iconic species such as the pearly razorfish (“raor”, Xyrichtys novacula), establishing a fruitful research line on the causes and consequences of fish behaviour. Additionally, through developing a large-scale tracking initiative, the Balearic Tracking Network, we are studying the functioning, effectiveness, and connectivity of the marine protected area network in the region through a multi-species approach. Our findings not only improve our understanding of the drivers of fish behaviour but also provide essential insights for designing effective conservation and management plans in the Balearic Islands.