Researchers are concerned about the impact of the latest storms in Portugal on seahorse habitats. It is still too early to draw any major conclusions, but the amount of freshwater received in the estuaries was quite high.
It is the males who carry the babies in a pouch until the day of birth. They are monogamous animals that care for their partner throughout their lives.
These are some of the characteristics of these small fish that, interestingly, are not excellent swimmers and, therefore, the The strength of the recent rains may have been a problem.
A lot came in fresh water in estuaries and the seahorse’s home must have a salinity level very close to that found in the oceans. For now it is still early to know the true impacts of these storm trains on the seahorse populationbut it is perhaps in the ‘habitat’ where researchers’ biggest concerns lie.
Gonçalo Silva, researcher MARDIVE/SEA from NOVA FCT, andis studying the seahorse populations of the Tagus and Sadobeing perfectly aware of the threats that surround them.
They exist 48 species of seahorses in the world. The most studied population in Portugal is that of Ria Formosawhere they live two different speciesbut in recent years it has suffered a gigantic declinearound 90%.
Monitoring these small animals is then essential for collecting scientific data that can help in making protection decisions.
