Dergiler / Mediterranean Fisheries and Aquaculture Research / 2026 / Cilt: 9 Sayı: 1

An Operational Conservation Prioritization Model for Seagrass Ecosystems in the Eastern Mediterranean: National Posidonia oceanica Priority Index (NPOI)

Ergün Taşkın(MANİSA CELÂL BAYAR ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0003-0531-4546
Aysu Güreşen(MANİSA CELÂL BAYAR ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0001-9919-1545
Furkan Bilgiç(MANİSA CELÂL BAYAR ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0009-0007-6922-0684
Sayfa
26–39
Yayın Tarihi
2026-06-30
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⚡ TL;DR(1 Cümlede Hızlı Çıkarım)

Application to three Eastern Mediterranean meadows yielded NPOI values ranging from 2.05 to 2.46 (mean ± SD: 2.19 ± 0.23), consistently classifying all sites as restoration-priority systems.

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Amaç & Hipotez:Posidonia oceanica meadows represent one of the most valuable coastal ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea due to their biodiversity support, sediment stabilization, and long-term carbon sequestration capacity.
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Temel Bulgular & Veri:The index integrates four equally weighted components: (A) spatial continuity and area, (Y) temporal persistence derived from lepidochronological age structure, (C) carbon lock-in potential based on matte thickness, and (P) anthropogenic pressure.
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Sonuç & Katkı:Application to three Eastern Mediterranean meadows yielded NPOI values ranging from 2.05 to 2.46 (mean ± SD: 2.19 ± 0.23), consistently classifying all sites as restoration-priority systems.
🔬Tür:Modelleme & Sayısal Simülasyon
📍Kapsam:Genişletilmiş Akademik Örneklem
⚙️Değişkenler:National Posidonia oceanica Priority Index · conservation · seagrass ecosystems

Özet

Posidonia oceanica meadows represent one of the most valuable coastal ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea due to their biodiversity support, sediment stabilization, and long-term carbon sequestration capacity. However, conservation planning often relies on present-day ecological status indicators without incorporating temporal persistence and carbon lock-in potential, which are fundamental to long-term ecosystem resilience. This study introduces the National Posidonia oceanica Priority Index (NPOI), a standardized and operational decision-support model developed for Eastern Mediterranean coastal management. The index integrates four equally weighted components: (A) spatial continuity and area, (Y) temporal persistence derived from lepidochronological age structure, (C) carbon lock-in potential based on matte thickness, and (P) anthropogenic pressure. Anthropogenic pressure is quantified through a six-component weighted model reflecting mechanistic impact pathways. Each component is scored on a 1–5 scale using transparent and repeatable criteria. The index does not assess legal protection eligibility, as all Posidonia oceanica meadows are protected habitats; rather, it quantifies conservation priority and restoration urgency. The methodological framework, scoring protocols, and management interpretation are presented in detail to ensure reproducibility and policy applicability. Application to three Eastern Mediterranean meadows yielded NPOI values ranging from 2.05 to 2.46 (mean ± SD: 2.19 ± 0.23), consistently classifying all sites as restoration-priority systems.

Abstract

Posidonia oceanica meadows represent one of the most valuable coastal ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea due to their biodiversity support, sediment stabilization, and long-term carbon sequestration capacity. However, conservation planning often relies on present-day ecological status indicators without incorporating temporal persistence and carbon lock-in potential, which are fundamental to long-term ecosystem resilience. This study introduces the National Posidonia oceanica Priority Index (NPOI), a standardized and operational decision-support model developed for Eastern Mediterranean coastal management. The index integrates four equally weighted components: (A) spatial continuity and area, (Y) temporal persistence derived from lepidochronological age structure, (C) carbon lock-in potential based on matte thickness, and (P) anthropogenic pressure. Anthropogenic pressure is quantified through a six-component weighted model reflecting mechanistic impact pathways. Each component is scored on a 1–5 scale using transparent and repeatable criteria. The index does not assess legal protection eligibility, as all Posidonia oceanica meadows are protected habitats; rather, it quantifies conservation priority and restoration urgency. The methodological framework, scoring protocols, and management interpretation are presented in detail to ensure reproducibility and policy applicability. Application to three Eastern Mediterranean meadows yielded NPOI values ranging from 2.05 to 2.46 (mean ± SD: 2.19 ± 0.23), consistently classifying all sites as restoration-priority systems.

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Bu Makaleye Atıf Yap

Taşkın, E., Güreşen, A., Bilgiç, F. (2026). An Operational Conservation Prioritization Model for Seagrass Ecosystems in the Eastern Mediterranean: National Posidonia oceanica Priority Index (NPOI). Mediterranean Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Cilt: 9 Sayı: 1, 26–39. https://doi.org/10.63039/medfar.1922630

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Kaynakça (27)

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