Periodic Reporting for period 1 - PUREEF-Y (Past, present, and future status and mitigation for Cyprus shallow-water reef biodiversity and functioning under global change)
Berichtszeitraum: 2024-07-01 bis 2025-09-30
Cyprus’ shallow-water reefs are highly valuable ecosystems that support shoreline protection, nutrient cycling and diverse marine life, but they are increasingly threatened by climate change, marine heatwaves, invasive species, pollution and intensified coastal activities. As the Eastern Mediterranean warms rapidly, ecological shifts are accelerating, yet Cyprus lacks long-term baselines, advanced analytical capacity and integrated monitoring systems needed to understand and manage these changes.
PUREEF-Y was created to address these gaps by enhancing the scientific excellence, research management capacity and international standing of the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI). In partnership with the Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research (IOLR) and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), the project strengthens Cyprus’ ability to assess and respond to changes in coastal reef ecosystems through coordinated capacity-building, advanced training, joint scientific work and integration into major European research networks.
The project pursues four main objectives: (1) strengthening CMMI’s research and innovation capabilities through staff exchanges, training and knowledge transfer in key marine science disciplines; (2) implementing a comprehensive research programme to assess past, present and emerging ecological conditions, including physicochemical parameters, pollution, biodiversity and ecosystem functioning; (3) enhancing international networking and scientific visibility through participation in COST Actions, EU networks and collaborative events; and (4) ensuring strong dissemination, outreach, exploitation planning and collaboration with related EU initiatives.
PUREEF-Y is expected to deliver important scientific, institutional and societal benefits. It will produce the first integrated environmental baseline for Cyprus’ shallow reefs and improve methods for monitoring, pollution assessment and climate-related vulnerability analysis. It also supports CMMI’s growth into a competitive research centre within the European Research Area, while promoting ocean literacy, stakeholder engagement and evidence-based environmental governance. Although grounded in marine science, the project includes social and behavioural elements related to stakeholder interaction, communication and the translation of scientific knowledge into decision-making.
PUREEF-Y was created to address these gaps by enhancing the scientific excellence, research management capacity and international standing of the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI). In partnership with the Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research (IOLR) and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), the project strengthens Cyprus’ ability to assess and respond to changes in coastal reef ecosystems through coordinated capacity-building, advanced training, joint scientific work and integration into major European research networks.
The project pursues four main objectives: (1) strengthening CMMI’s research and innovation capabilities through staff exchanges, training and knowledge transfer in key marine science disciplines; (2) implementing a comprehensive research programme to assess past, present and emerging ecological conditions, including physicochemical parameters, pollution, biodiversity and ecosystem functioning; (3) enhancing international networking and scientific visibility through participation in COST Actions, EU networks and collaborative events; and (4) ensuring strong dissemination, outreach, exploitation planning and collaboration with related EU initiatives.
PUREEF-Y is expected to deliver important scientific, institutional and societal benefits. It will produce the first integrated environmental baseline for Cyprus’ shallow reefs and improve methods for monitoring, pollution assessment and climate-related vulnerability analysis. It also supports CMMI’s growth into a competitive research centre within the European Research Area, while promoting ocean literacy, stakeholder engagement and evidence-based environmental governance. Although grounded in marine science, the project includes social and behavioural elements related to stakeholder interaction, communication and the translation of scientific knowledge into decision-making.
During the first reporting period, PUREEF-Y carried out an extensive programme of scientific and technical work across WP3, WP5 and WP7. Three seasonal sampling campaigns were completed at four coastal sites, with water and sediment collected across multiple depths to measure key physicochemical parameters such as temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, alkalinity, nutrients and chlorophyll-a. Temperature loggers were deployed in intertidal, subtidal and air zones to obtain high-resolution thermal records. Sediment and vermetid reef cores were also collected to support palaeo-environmental analyses.
Pollution assessment activities progressed with the initiation of laboratory analyses for heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, microplastics and associated contamination indices. Standardised workflows were established for sample preparation, fractionation and instrumental measurements. Preliminary contamination and ecological risk assessments were completed, and protocols for planned bioaccumulation studies were developed.
Ecological surveys were conducted in both intertidal and subtidal zones using transects, quadrats, photogrammetry and fixed cameras. Biodiversity metrics were generated for macroalgae, benthic invertebrates, fish and plankton communities. Data processing pipelines were set up to support species identification, abundance estimation and habitat characterisation, and initial richness and diversity indices were calculated.
Preparatory work advanced for future mesocosm experiments, including the definition of experimental design, stressor scenarios and target species. Laboratories were equipped and calibrated for chemical oceanography, microscopy and sediment processing, and standard operating procedures were finalised.
Capacity-building activities supported scientific excellence through five staff exchanges between CMMI, IOLR and UAB, providing hands-on training in nutrient analysis, paleoceanographic methods, ecological surveying and carbonate chemistry. Four focused scientific training sessions were delivered, complemented by participation in external workshops on taxonomy, ocean data management and plankton monitoring.
Close collaboration across partners ensured harmonised sampling protocols, comparable analytical approaches and shared expertise. Joint fieldwork and technical meetings supported calibration, troubleshooting and planning for subsequent phases.
Overall, PUREEF-Y successfully advanced the research programme, established solid technical capacity and produced the initial datasets required for continued scientific work.
Pollution assessment activities progressed with the initiation of laboratory analyses for heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, microplastics and associated contamination indices. Standardised workflows were established for sample preparation, fractionation and instrumental measurements. Preliminary contamination and ecological risk assessments were completed, and protocols for planned bioaccumulation studies were developed.
Ecological surveys were conducted in both intertidal and subtidal zones using transects, quadrats, photogrammetry and fixed cameras. Biodiversity metrics were generated for macroalgae, benthic invertebrates, fish and plankton communities. Data processing pipelines were set up to support species identification, abundance estimation and habitat characterisation, and initial richness and diversity indices were calculated.
Preparatory work advanced for future mesocosm experiments, including the definition of experimental design, stressor scenarios and target species. Laboratories were equipped and calibrated for chemical oceanography, microscopy and sediment processing, and standard operating procedures were finalised.
Capacity-building activities supported scientific excellence through five staff exchanges between CMMI, IOLR and UAB, providing hands-on training in nutrient analysis, paleoceanographic methods, ecological surveying and carbonate chemistry. Four focused scientific training sessions were delivered, complemented by participation in external workshops on taxonomy, ocean data management and plankton monitoring.
Close collaboration across partners ensured harmonised sampling protocols, comparable analytical approaches and shared expertise. Joint fieldwork and technical meetings supported calibration, troubleshooting and planning for subsequent phases.
Overall, PUREEF-Y successfully advanced the research programme, established solid technical capacity and produced the initial datasets required for continued scientific work.
PUREEF-Y generated the first integrated baseline on physicochemical conditions, pollution levels and ecological status of Cyprus’ shallow-water reefs, together with harmonised protocols, seasonal datasets and paleo-environmental records. These results can support improved monitoring, vulnerability assessments and evidence-based management of coastal ecosystems. Future uptake requires continued data collection, advanced analyses, mesocosm experiments, and sustained access to specialised laboratories. Long-term success will benefit from strengthened research capacity, stable funding, and alignment with national monitoring frameworks. By project end, PUREEF-Y will deliver comprehensive environmental datasets, refined methodologies, and management recommendations supporting the resilience of Cyprus’ coastal reefs.