Sea warming threatens the red gorgonian in the Medes Islands: an early reproductive shift that endangers biodiversity

Climate change is profoundly altering the natural rhythms of our marine environment, and one of the most recent warning signs comes from the depths of the Montgrí, Medes Islands and Baix Ter Natural Park. The red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata), one of the most emblematic and vital species in our coralligenous seabeds, is facing an unprecedented challenge that threatens its long-term survival.

According to the latest research led by the University of Barcelona (UB) and the Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC), the early arrival of warm temperatures in spring is causing a mismatch in the life cycle of these corals. When water temperature rises by just 2 °C, red gorgonian colonies release their gametes two weeks earlier than usual. This shift has critical consequences: larvae are born with fewer energy reserves and a much higher mortality rate, making it far more difficult for them to settle on the seabed and form new colonies.

The disappearance of these “underwater forests” is not only the loss of a beautiful species; the red gorgonian acts as an ecosystem engineer, creating three-dimensional structures that provide shelter, breeding grounds and food for hundreds of other marine species. Without them, the overall biodiversity of the Medes Islands would be drastically reduced.

This phenomenon, combined with the recurring marine heatwaves of summer, is accelerating what scientists describe as a “population collapse”. At Medaqua, we reaffirm our commitment to responsible ecotourism and environmental education. Understanding these realities allows us to appreciate even more the fragility of our sea and the urgency of protecting these natural sanctuaries that we care for so deeply. The conservation of the Mediterranean depends on our ability to understand and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

*This news article has been prepared on the basis of the scientific data published in 2026 by ICM-CSIC and the University of Barcelona (UB) on the conservation status of Paramuricea clavata on the Costa Brava.*