UAlg Hippocampus - The seahorses and the biology and ecology
Download a map (pdf) of the route here
The contribution of the University of Algarve to the knowledge of the threatened marine biodiversity at a global level has been very important and an example is the research on the seahorse (Hippocampus) – a threatened iconic species.
At UAlg we also research the habitat where seahorses live – the seagrass areas of Ria Formosa - a most important blue infrastructure for the absorption of CO2, and contribution to carbon neutrality in the scope of the European Green Deal. In our institution we study the interconnection on both the marine and terrestrial environments in the surrounding area of Ria Formosa, a coastal lagoon, and we also monitor the impacts on this fragile ecosystem namely pollution, microplastics for example.
The itinerary for seahorse preservation aims to be a meeting point for students, staff, locals and tourists combining physical activity and outdoor activities and the observation of the beauty and sustainable in two works by Bordalo II, belonging to an array of around 200 pieces called “Big Trash Animal Collection” built several meters in height, through the 4 continents. One of these pieces of art is located in Praia de Faro (plastic style) built with plastic waste collected in a cleaning action promoted by UAlg V+ (Volunteering Group from the University) and partners, with the support of Faro Municipality and the other piece of art, at the starting point of the itinerary in Campus de Gambelas (neutral style) built with the same material however disguised with painting in a way to resemble the natural colour of the species.
Following the itinerary between these pieces of art we can also understand the biological life cycle of the seahorse depending on the Ria and on the seagrass as well as understand the threats in the surrounding areas and realize how we can all contribute to enjoy a healthier planet.
The itinerary UAlg Hippocampus was funded by the projects Hipposave (Mar2020) and Alimar (Fundo Azul) and the main goals are the knowledge, protection and conservation of the species as well as the awareness of the public for the problems and impact of sea waste. More recently the project Sustainable Horizons (European Universities designing the horizons of sustainability) strives for a reinforcement of the connection of science with society by using this itinerary as an example of the link between scientists, undergraduate students and citizens in order to comply with United Nations SDG 2030, in Education Quality (Sustainable Horizons).
The 8 km itinerary is an interdisciplinary project combining the areas of Marine Biology, Sports, Environment, Health, Chemistry, Arts and the real contributions from citizens who collected part of the marine litter used to produce the pieces of art. It includes 5 panels with QR code with scientific information allowing a deep reflection about this threatened species, its habit and its enormous sensibility to the impacts and environmental degradation in the Ria Formosa.
UAlg HIPPOCAMPUS itinerary
In the Faro Island channel, the 4th panel of this itinerary, and already enjoying a broad vision of the main areas of the Ria Formosa, we can observe underwater seagrass areas where huge populations of seahorses once existed.
These animals, which are not easily observable because of their camouflage strategies, as mentioned in the previous panel, exhibit peculiar habits of life, thereby forming enduring pairs, and the male nurses and protects their progeny inside a pouch located in the abdomen until the hatching of the eggs.
The breeding season goes between May and August, and each reproductive cycle takes approximately one month. The breeding rate is dramatically low, with an offspring of only 200 to 400 juveniles in each egg laying of which the greatest part will not survive due to the effects of predation or lack of nourishment.
Because of their poor swimming ability, they come absolutely still for the most part of the time, while bonding themselves to the seaweed filaments from which they depend upon, or even to other bottom structures, by means of their prehensile fragile tails.
The seahorses live in shallow zones of the Ria Formosa, like the ones that can be seen from where we are now, and depend on these habitats of greater structural complexity in order to settle, and camouflage themselves, and seek for sustenance.
