Description: The B-CHARMED project successfully achieved its objective of developing new acoustic methods to map and characterise Black Coral Forests (BCFs) of Antipatella wollastoni despite initial delays caused by the global pandemic, completing all objectives within the extended timeline. Expanded surveys conducted during various seasons provided comprehensive data on BCFs, while the development of mapping tools such as extension, bathymetry, and the ‘canopy effect’ enhanced understanding of BCF habitats. The project also yielded valuable insights into habitat-associated biodiversity, identifying recruitment areas for commercial fish species and unique fish communities, thus contributing to biodiversity conservation efforts and informing regional marine conservation strategies and policies. Through various outreach activities targeting stakeholders and the public, the project raised awareness about the natural value of BCF habitats and their conservation. Stakeholders engaged in the project included local diving centers, the Lanzarote Biosphere Reserve, the Cabildo of Lanzarote, external experts, and NGOs and associations, emphasising the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration for project success. Lessons learned highlighted the significance of adaptability, multidisciplinary collaboration, and optimising sampling efforts, with recommendations for future activities focusing on expanding research efforts in similar habitats and regions. Future plans include using project outcomes as a baseline for continued research initiatives, extending the project approach to other islands and Macaronesian regions, and engaging in international collaborations to study pristine marine habitats and contribute to global conservation efforts.
Duration: 18 months
