Sea Colors A UA

The Coastal Habitat Survey Project aims to investigate the biodiversity of São Miguel Island through systematic snorkeling surveys conducted across multiple coastal sites. The study focuses on documenting both marine flora and fauna, providing a comprehensive overview of the island’s coastal ecosystems.

Within this broader initiative, my research specifically examines the ecological differences between sites located inside and outside marine protected areas (MPAs). The goal is to assess the potential benefits of protection in terms of biodiversity, community structure, and overall ecosystem health.

Study Area: São Miguel Island

São Miguel Island hosts five marine protected areas, each designed to support the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources. This study focuses on the Caloura Marine Protected Area, located along the island’s southern coast.

The Caloura MPA is classified as a resource management area, where both commercial and recreational fishing activities are regulated. In certain zones, fishing is strictly prohibited, with the aim of reducing pressure on fish stocks and promoting the long-term preservation of marine ecosystems.

Survey Sites

Four survey sites were selected for this study, ensuring a balanced comparison between protected and non-protected areas:

• Inside the MPA: Praia da Pedreira and Praia Baixa D’Areia
• Outside the MPA: Praia Ribeira das Tainhas and Praia do Popùlo

All sites were carefully chosen to ensure comparability in terms of habitat structure. Each location features similar morphological characteristics, including a mixed substratum composed of both rocky and sandy areas.

This environmental consistency is essential for the study, as it allows observed differences in biodiversity, species composition, and ecosystem condition to be attributed primarily to the presence or absence of marine protection, rather than to natural habitat variation.