SEAGHOSTS
Winged ghosts wandering the oceans
Understanding how animals move in nature and the environments they frequent is key to safeguarding biodiversity. This awareness is the basis for SEAGHOSTS "Winged ghosts wandering the oceans" a project funded by the European Commission that, between 2024 and 2027, will investigate the spatial and trophic ecology of storm petrels (families Hydrobatidae and Oceanitidae), the smallest and most elusive seabird species.
The objectives are to identify the most heavily used marine areas and therefore priority conservation areas, study the migrations and behavior at sea of these species, and assess the genetic diversity among populations in the Mediterranean and the Northeast Atlantic.
Furthermore, an operational guide will be produced for researchers, conservationists, protected area managers, and decision-makers, containing guidelines for monitoring storm petrel colonies, techniques for restoring breeding sites, clear criteria for identifying key conservation areas, as well as a transparent assessment of the potential effects of the research itself on such small and vulnerable species.
ISPRA is a partner in the project.
Close-up of a Mediterranean storm petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus melitensis) at its nest. (Photo: Andrea Benvenuti)