Scientific Tourism: Discovering the ancient reef by snorkelling

A different snorkelling trip with the aim of getting to know an ancient formation up close: the reef where underwater meadows of Posidonia oceanica have been formed over thousands of years. We will learn more about its biodiversity and the importance of these meadows as a reservoir of blue carbon, and we will observe how the tasks are carried out at the monitoring station located at this barrier reef.

With long wetsuits that aid buoyancy, protect us from the sun and jellyfish if there were any, diving mask, flippers and snorkel (breathing tube), we will depart from Aguadulce Marina and sail to the Barrier Reef of Aguadulce Beach. There we will observe the reef formed by these plants, and the diving instructor will show you the monitoring techniques that are performed annually at this reef, using tape measures and dive slates to collect data and make grids. We will also take samples of rhizomes and leaves and we will observe afterwards under the microscope in the classroom at the diving centre, to understand the number of epiphytes (plants and animals that use leaves as a substrate to live) that inhabit the leaves of Posidonia meadows.