Survey on the conservation of habitats in the central Mediterranean, with a particular focus on the Strait of Sicily and the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea (2024)

This study presents a survey investigating public perceptions of marine habitat conservation in the central Mediterranean, with a specific focus on the Strait of Sicily and the southern Tyrrhenian Sea. These areas are characterized by high ecological value but are increasingly affected by intense human pressures.  The main objective of the research is to assess public awareness of marine ecosystems, perceptions of ecosystem services, identification of major environmental threats, and willingness to financially support conservation measures. The survey aims to provide valuable insights to support evidence-based environmental policies and sustainable management strategies, contributing to the research activities of the National Biodiversity Center and the National Research Council within the framework of the PNRR. The study investigated attitudes toward different conservation strategies and their potential social acceptability. Specifically, data were collected through two structured questionnaires, each focusing on a distinct conservation strategy: the establishment of Marine Protected Areas (AMP) and the restoration of seagrass habitats through the transplantation of Posidonia oceanica (Transplant).