Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are increasingly recognized as a major climatic and ecological threat, particularly in semi-enclosed seas like the Mediterranean. These extreme events, characterized by prolonged periods of elevated sea temperatures, have intensified in frequency, duration, and impact in recent years, posing significant challenges to marine biodiversity, fisheries, and coastal ecosystems.
The CIESM Workshop Monographs n°51 brought together leading oceanographers, climatologists, and ecologists to assess the state of knowledge on MHWs, analyze recent patterns, and propose new methodologies for monitoring and mitigation. Discussions covered:
- Physical Nature & Genesis of MHWs: Examining the processes driving marine heatwaves, their seasonal variations, and air-sea interactions that amplify their effects.
- Regional Trends & Biological Responses: Analyzing how different Mediterranean subregions are affected, including ecosystem disruptions, mass mortality events, and shifts in species distributions.
- Advanced Monitoring & Experimental Approaches: Improving detection techniques through multi-platform observations and developing impact-based assessment models.
- Conservation & Future Strategies: Identifying knowledge gaps and strengthening marine conservation frameworks to enhance ecosystem resilience.
This monograph is worthy of becoming a crucial scientific reference for researchers, students, conservationists and policy makers working to mitigate the growing impact of marine heatwaves.
🔗 Get your Monograph here: https://ciesm.org/our-science/workshop-monographs/