Oropesa del Mar ha sido hoy el epicentro del debate nacional sobre ciencia ciudadana con un foro que refuerza la conexión entre la sociedad, la investigación y las políticas públicas

El eco de los grandes fuegos del verano no solo persiste en el paisaje, también en el agua. Las lluvias arrastran cenizas, sedimentos y restos químicos hacia ríos y embalses formando ‘riadas negras’ que comprometen el abastecimiento, la agricultura, los ecosistemas y la salud humana.

Scientific Reports - De novo genome assembly, inversion detection, and worldwide adaptation on the invasive species Styela plicata

This study documents the first occurrence and rapid expansion of the solitary ascidian Cnemidocarpa irene in natural marine habitats of Tenerife (Canary Islands). Native to the Indo-Pacific, C. irene had previously been introduced to the Caribbean, Brazil, and Cape Verde. It was first observed in Tenerife in 2020, though retrospective records through citizen science tools date its presence back to 2018. A total of 74 sightings along the island’s coasts were reported between 2018 and 2024, when it reached densities of ca. 2 individuals/aggregates per square metre in the initial introduction area. Thus, the species is undergoing a clear proliferation and a spatial expansion. Morphological and genetic analyses confirmed the identity of C. irene and its phylogenetic placement, closely related to other Cnemidocarpa and related genera such as Asterocarpa. This species shows concerning invasive characteristics, such as a fast expansion, abundance in natural habitats, and aggregative behaviour, suggesting potential threats to native biota. Due to its limited natural dispersal capacity, the introduction of C. irene to Tenerife is attributed to anthropogenic vectors, particularly oil platforms arriving at major Canary Island ports. The proximity of the initial records to port areas supports this hypothesis. Given the potential species’ ecological risks, the authors recommend close monitoring, manual removal where feasible, and strengthened involvement of citizen science. This case highlights the vulnerability of oceanic islands to marine biological invasions and the importance of ports and marinas as critical entry points, underscoring the need for proactive surveillance and early intervention strategies.

As the Brazilian city of Belém prepares for this year’s U.N. climate conference, COP30, Indigenous leaders worldwide say they’re getting ready to have their demands addressed. Dubbed the “nature COP”…

The Centre for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB-CSIC) will hold its Open Days from 12 to 14 November as part of the 2025 Science Week. Over three days, the centre will offer free activities for students and the general public to showcase the international research being carried out in the fields of marine, freshwater, and… The CEAB-CSIC opens its doors to bring marine, freshwater, and theoretical ecology closer to the public

La mayoría provienen del tráfico marítimo internacional y el Mediterráneo es el área más afectada