The IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation has launched a Virtual Library on seagrass along the Andalusian coast. It is intended primarily for managers and public officials as well as private companies interested in marine meadows and in evaluating the impact that certain coastal activities may have had on these important ecosystems, particularly Posidonia oceanica beds, which are classified by the European Union Habitats Directive as ‘priority habitat' due to their community importance.

The library provides access to more than 200 documents classified under eight thematic subjects (including management, ecology, legislation, pressures and restoration). There are two map viewers that display information on the distribution of seagrass meadows in the Andalusian provinces and the main pressures and threats affecting them. These viewers are connected to the Andalusian Government's Environmental Information Network of Andalusia (REDIAM), which is the official repository of all the maps.

In addition, there is information on the existing legal tools for the conservation of these ecosystems. Educational and audiovisual materials are also available, together with the results of various conservation, management and research projects that have been conducted in the region. Some international documents and other materials produced around the world are likewise included in the Library.

A large part of the Andalusian coastline was once populated by seagrass at varying densities. Today all the coastal provinces of Andalusia still have some seagrass meadows, although many are in decline. There are four species of these seagrasses in Andalusia: Zostera marina, Zostera noltei, Cymodocea nodosa y Posidonia oceanica , the last being the focus of the Life+ Posidonia Andalucía Project.

The information displayed in this Library on seagrass distribution along the Andalusian coast is derived from data compiled by a number of organizations and institutions as well as information collected by the Life+ Posidonia Andalucía Project during the period 2010-2014. The Virtual Library itself is one of the outcomes of the project.

For further information: Mar Otero