Submerged and partially submerged caves<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Sea caves are fascinating natural formations shaped over tens of thousands of years by water, waves, and stone. But they’re not just geological wonders, they’re also vibrant habitats. These caves host a variety of species, from sponges and mollusks to crabs, fish, and even bats. They offer shelter, breeding grounds, and feeding areas for many species, connecting different coastal ecosystems and contributing to genetic diversity and population resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With over 3,000 such caves in the Mediterranean and their extreme sensitivity to environmental changes and human presence, their protection is vital. What nature has crafted over millennia can be destroyed by careless human behavior in a matter of minutes. Entering caves without proper knowledge, equipment, or permission can permanently disrupt their delicate balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Responsible behavior guide<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Adriatic Sea, bordered by the coasts of Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro, and Albania, hosts thousands of beaches. Among them are muddy and sandy seabeds that are not covered by the sea at low tide. Though they may seem unremarkable at first glance, these habitats are crucial for coastal biodiversity and ecosystem balance. They provide breeding and feeding grounds for various birds, fish, crabs, and mollusks. Moreover, they reduce wave energy, protect shorelines from erosion, and store carbon, playing a role in fighting climate change. Their natural filtering ability further emphasizes the need for protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, increasing tourism, pollution, and climate change are threatening these areas. Their disappearance would mean the loss of many ecosystem services. So, when exploring these environments, do your best not to disturb the wildlife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Responsible behavior guide<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Adriatic hides a valuable yet often invisible treasure: Posidonia oceanica meadows. This seagrass<\/a> is endemic to the Mediterranean and one of the most important marine habitats\u2014home to over 20% of known Mediterranean marine species. It produces oxygen, stores carbon dioxide, protects the coastline from erosion, and hosts hundreds of marine species. Producing up to 14 liters of oxygen per square meter per day, it’s often called the \u201clungs of the Mediterranean.\u201d It grows extremely slowly\u2014only 1 cm per year\u2014so any anchoring that pulls out its rhizomes has a long-lasting impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Posidonia meadows are considered a priority habitat under the Natura 2000 network and are legally protected in Croatia due to their ecological importance and vulnerability. Climate change, pollution, invasive species, and harmful fishing practices further threaten this precious habitat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Responsible behavior guide<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Kentish plover (Charadrius alexandrinus<\/em>) is a small shorebird that inhabits coastal habitats across Europe, including the Adriatic coast. Although classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as Least Concern, its European populations are in decline, with numbers in Italy drastically reduced. Its muted coloring helps it blend into its surroundings, offering protection but also making it nearly invisible to beachgoers. It nests directly on the ground, often just a few meters from sunbathers, making it highly sensitive to disturbance\u2014even brief human presence can cause it to abandon its nest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a bioindicator species, the presence of the Kentish plover reflects the health of its habitat, making its protection critical to the entire coastal ecosystem. Did you know that in Spain, the presence of this bird is used as a sign of sustainable beach management?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Responsible behavior guide<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta<\/em>) is the most common sea turtle species in the Adriatic, but also one of the most endangered. As the only marine reptiles in the region, turtles play a key role in maintaining the health of coral reefs and Posidonia meadows. Yet only about 1% of hatchlings survive to sexual maturity. Major threats include bycatch, boat strikes, pollution, habitat loss, and climate change\u2014which affects the sex of hatchlings (warmer sand “produces” females, cooler “produces” males).<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, if you see one, keep your distance and do not disturb it. Sadly, loggerheads are increasingly harmed by human negligence. Collisions with boats and entanglement in fishing gear are claiming their lives. Let\u2019s be responsible\u2014slow down when needed, report injured individuals, and support sustainable fishing. Their survival depends on our actions.<\/p>\n\n\n Responsible behavior guide<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Ferruginous duck (Aythya nyroca<\/em>) is one of the rarest duck species in Europe, occasionally or permanently found in the Adriatic\u2019s coastal areas. This species prefers calm, shallow water habitats such as lagoons, wetlands, and still freshwater zones near the sea. Though small (up to 55 cm in length), it plays a big role in the ecosystem by dispersing plants and small aquatic animals across various water bodies, boosting biodiversity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Due to habitat loss and fragmentation, the number of ferruginous ducks is declining. They’re sensitive to noise, pollution, invasive species, hunting, and human presence\u2014especially during nesting season. Their presence in a region signals a preserved, peaceful, and biodiverse environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Responsible behavior guide<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n You may wonder whether your caution can truly make a difference. The truth is\u2014it can! Every shell left undisturbed, every bird not startled, every bit of trash you take with you, it all contribute to a bigger picture, one where tourism and nature <\/strong>exist side by side<\/strong>, not in opposition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The nature of the Adriatic doesn\u2019t ask for grand sacrifices. It asks for silence, respect, and presence without destruction. So this summer, let your enjoyment of nature be a responsible one\u2014because every species counts, every habitat matters<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n We invite you to spread awareness of responsible behavior at and near the sea by sharing posts from the official Facebook page of the project<\/a>! You can find all the information from this article there. For more details about the project and other related activities, visit the official project website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Header image source: Public Institution for the Management of Protected Natural Areas of Dubrovnik-Neretva County<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We present you a guide for the protection of marine species and habitats. Learn how to enjoy nature responsibly and help preserve the fragile ecosystems of our sea and coast.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":32740,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1269,473,5],"tags":[1381,1267,1325],"class_list":["post-32774","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-aspeh-adriatic-species-and-habitats-of-coastal-areas-en","category-live-green","category-news","tag-adriatic-treasures","tag-aspeh","tag-sea-protection"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sunce-st.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32774","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sunce-st.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sunce-st.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sunce-st.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sunce-st.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32774"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/sunce-st.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32774\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32922,"href":"https:\/\/sunce-st.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32774\/revisions\/32922"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sunce-st.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/32740"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sunce-st.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32774"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sunce-st.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32774"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sunce-st.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32774"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sunce-st.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/HGI_ju_more_i_krs_arhiva_ASPEH-1024x640.jpg\")
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Muddy and sandy seabeds that are not covered by the sea at low tide<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sunce-st.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/usce_neretve_ju_dnz_ASPEH-1024x640.jpg\")
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Posidonia meadows<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sunce-st.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/KOR_23_posidonija-1024x640.jpg\")
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Kentish plover<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sunce-st.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/morski_kulik_ASPEH_canva-1024x640.jpg\")
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Loggerhead turtle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"kornjaca-more\"](\"https:\/\/sunce-st.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/PRIR_16_kor_safarek.jpg\")
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Ferruginous duck<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sunce-st.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Torre_guaceto_ASPEH-1024x640.jpg\")
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Every species counts, every habitat matters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"aspeh-interreg-eu\"](\"https:\/\/sunce-st.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/aspeh_slagalica_eng-1024x341.jpg\")
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