Ecology and Economics, a multidisciplinary approach applied to the protection and sustainable exploitation of marine biodiversity: ECO2 for the marine Environment

This contribution summarizes the main research activities carried out by the ISMed CNR research group of Palermo on the Mediterranean Sea. The research activity of the group is aimed at studying the sea and biodiversity as a resource, with a view to regenerating coastal marine ecosystems and their sustainable use. The study of marine biodiversity as natural capital is a fundamental ingredient for a social-economic system not only to grow, but to develop along a path of sustainability. In this sense, the full understanding of the interrelation between economic activities attributable to marine resources and the study of biodiversity is essential to stimulate the economic growth, also through awareness-raising and scientific dissemination.