Science in Action: SHIFT-MARES Project
Fátima Alves, representing the Environmental Societies and Sustainability Research Group at the Centre for Functional Ecology - Science for People & the Planet, Associated Laboratory TERRA of the University of Coimbra and its Extension at the Open University of Portugal, participated in the Final Scientific Meeting of the SHIFT-MARES Project, which took place on 16th January 2026 at the SeaPorto Hotel in Matosinhos.
What is the SHIFT-MARES Project? This innovative project, funded by the Science4Policy 2024 programme, investigates changes in Portuguese marine ecosystem services under climate change scenarios, with a particular focus on impacts on coastal tourism.
Fátima Alves, in collaboration with Rosário Rosa and Diogo Guedes Vidal, presented the key findings from the SHIFT-MARES Participatory Workshop, an initiative that brought together different stakeholders to discuss the future of our marine ecosystems, with the Ria Formosa (Algarve) as the study area.
Why does it matter? Understanding how climate change affects our marine ecosystems is essential to:
- Protect marine biodiversity;
- Preserve vital ecosystem services;
- Ensure the sustainability of coastal tourism;
- Inform evidence-based public policy.
