Cyprus' first national initiative dedicated to restoring Posidonia oceanica meadows

In alignment with the EU Nature Restoration Law and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, RESPOSCY (REStoring POSidonia oceanica meadows of CYprus) marks the first initiative of the island of Cyprus to restore its Posidonia oceanica meadows.
Our aim is to introduce innovative, eco-friendly methods to restore this iconic Mediterranean habitat. Further, we aim to shape a national restoration strategy, and raise awareness of the crucial role that the Posidonia oceanica meadows play in sustaining healthy coastal ecosystems.

Recognized as a priority habitat under the EU Habitats Directive, Posidonia meadows are a keystone of coastal marine ecosystems, significantly contributing to biodiversity support, water purification, coastal protection, and carbon sequestration.
At the heart of the RESPOSCY project is a commitment to scientific excellence and environmental stewardship, starting with a nationwide effort to collect and assess existing data on the distribution and status of Posidonia meadows and their related coastal pressures. This foundational step is essential, ensuring that restoration is based on solid, evidence-driven insights. By conducting a comprehensive risk assessment and developing risk maps, the project will identify key degradation pressures and pinpoint priority restoration sites across Cyprus.

RESPOSCY brings together marine biologists and academics, volunteer divers and citizen-scientists, managers and relevant authorities. By bridging scientific knowledge with community’s passion, this project aims to develop a Living Lab in Cyprus that will become a regional EXCELLENCE hub and a successful model for seagrass restoration.

The project supports Cyprus in meeting its EU and international biodiversity commitments, while also advancing marine habitat restoration techniques and unlocking socioeconomic benefits through the recovery of vital ecosystem services.