Workshop Themes

The MSW ’09 intends to achieve the following goals:

• present new advances in the study of seagrass biology, including the study of the genetic diversity of plants and associated communities and their evolutionary response to changing environmental conditions (e.g. climatic change);
• exchange new information about seagrass habitats in the Mediterranean Sea including all biotic and abiotic elements;
• connect science and managers that focus on seagrass habitats;
• provide a forum for cooperation and networking among scientists and stakeholders;
• bring attention to Mediterranean habitats for better protection and management;
• provide recommendations for successful management and conservation.

To achieve these goals, the MSW ‘09 will be addressing a number of topics related to seagrass habitats in the Mediterranean Sea.

The topics will include:

• systematics, evolution, biology and ecology of Mediterranean seagrasses and associated organisms;
• physical and chemical properties of seagrass habitats;
• monitoring, management and restoration of seagrass habitats.

In addition to the general topics, the MSW ’09 will call for a “short news” session. This session will schedule short oral presentations (8 minutes) in which contributors will provide information on on-going work, news research topics, etc.