The Ebro Delta Bays are a vital Marine Protected Area and a designated Natura 2000 site, playing a crucial role in marine biodiversity, sustainable aquaculture, and coastal resilience. As part of the EFFECTIVE project, significant restoration efforts have been carried out to improve water quality and rehabilitate degraded marine habitats.

Sediment sampling for ecosystem restoration

A key step in this initiative took place in April 2024, when the first sediment characterization campaign was conducted in Els Alfacs Bay. Partners at EURECAT collected sediment samples—both mud and sand—to analyze critical characteristics such as:

• Bulk density
• Organic matter content
• Grain size and sediment texture
• Nitrogen and carbon content

Understanding these factors provided a scientific baseline to inform future remediation strategies and optimize habitat restoration efforts.

Building on this initial work, additional sediment samples were gathered in July 2024 to analyze heavy metals and pesticide content. These findings helped ensure that any remediation and habitat restoration measures were both effective and environmentally safe.

Innovative approaches to Marine Restoration

EFFECTIVE’s restoration activities in the Ebro Delta Bays were based on two complementary strategies.

1. Constructed Wetlands with Helophytic Plants:
   Helophytic plants were strategically planted along the bay shore to filter drainage water from rice fields, reducing suspended sediments, excess nutrients, and pollutants before they entered the marine environment.
2. Seabed Remediation & Habitat Recovery:
   Decades of accumulated organic mud in shallow waters had negatively impacted the Cymodocea nodosa seagrass habitat. The project removed excess mud to support seagrass recolonization, while repurposing the extracted soil to help build the constructed wetlands—after remediation if pollution levels were high.

By integrating scientific research, innovative technology, and nature-based solutions, EFFECTIVE’s Pilot 2 aimed to enhance water quality, restore seagrass meadows, and boost biodiversity. These actions also promoted sustainable aquaculture, ensuring the long-term health and resilience of the Ebro Delta Bays ecosystem.

The Mediterranean Sea is home to some of the most diverse and fragile marine ecosystems, with seagrass meadows playing a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and combating climate change. Within the framework of the EFFECTIVE project, an innovative pilot test has been launched in Portlligat, Cadaqués (Alt Empordà) to monitor and protect these vital ecosystems.

Mar de L’Empordà: a biodiversity hotspot under threat

The Mar de L’Empordà, located in the Western Mediterranean, is a biodiversity-rich area in Spain that encompasses seven Marine Protected Areas. Governed by the Taula de Cogestió Marítima del Litoral del Baix Empordà, this region brings together stakeholders from multiple sectors to ensure the conservation of its marine resources. Its waters host a wide array of species, including red coral, gorgonians, seagrasses, sponges, noble pen shell, seahorses, and antennae gobies—each playing an essential role in the marine ecosystem.

However, Mediterranean seagrass meadows, particularly those of Posidonia oceanica, have been in decline for decades due to human activity and climate change. These underwater forests serve as carbon sinks, capturing and storing CO₂ for centuries. Their destruction not only threatens marine biodiversity but also contributes to increased carbon emissions, exacerbating climate change.

Innovative technology for conservation

To address this urgent challenge, the Center for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB) from CSIC (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas) and GPA Seabots, a partner in the EFFECTIVE project, have deployed aquatic robots to map the seabed of Portlligat. This initiative aims to analyze the state of Posidonia meadows, determine their carbon reserves, and develop strategies for their preservation.

These autonomous robots provide a non-invasive, efficient, and high-resolution method of studying underwater habitats. By collecting precise data on the extent and health of seagrass meadows, scientists can better understand the threats they face and implement targeted conservation actions.

Collaboration for a sustainable future

By combining scientific expertise with innovative robotic technology, the EFFECTIVE project is paving the way for more successful marine conservation strategies. The Portlligat campaign is just the beginning. As the pilot progresses, the insights gained will inform broader conservation policies and contribute to the sustainable management of marine ecosystems across the Mediterranean.