Background Neptune grass (Posidonia oceanica) underwater meadows are a priority habitat listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive. Some 95% of these meadows are found in six Natura 2000 network marine sites (SCIs) in the Andalusia. Conservation actions within these SCIs will guarantee the conservation of practically all Posidonia oceanica meadows, however, planned management of the meadows remains limited. A management plan is required for the marine meadows that harmonises nature conservation with economic and social development needs in the area. Stakeholder participation will be a crucial success factor for the management plan’s design and implementation. Objectives The LIFE Nature project’s main objective is to improve the conservation status of Posidonia oceanica meadows. This will be achieved by undertaking studies and applying protection measures. Research will identify the current state of the meadows in Andalusia (in regression, stable or in expansion). This will enable the design of baseline data and indicators to track conservation gains. Threats to the ecosystems (including pollution, boat anchoring, uncontrolled trawling or traditional local fishing and the expansion of exotic invasive species) will also be investigated and mechanisms assessed for mitigating negative impacts on the meadows, as well as those species that they support which are listed in annex II of the Habitats Directive and Birds Directive. Further studies will clarify the broader benefits linked to the meadows, plus the costs of their loss, such as impacts on fish populations, beach regeneration and deterioration of tourist attractions. All this information will inform the design of a new management plan for natural areas in Andalusia that will make it possible to plan a regulatory framework over time which will guarantee conservation and sustainable use of these areas and the species which they house. Outcomes of the management plan will be monitored via networks of diving volunteers. These will assess the risks and report on the conservation status of meadows and associated species. Stakeholder participation will feature strongly throughout the project work and involve close liaison with fishermen and professional ship owners, tourism providers and users, sports divers and students. The aim of this outreach work is to: gain support for the conservation actions; help introduce early warning systems against threats; and facilitate balanced sustainable developments within Andalusia’s marine Natura 2000 sites. Expected results: Production of a detailed cartography of the meadows for use as an essential management tool; Confirmation of baseline data about the current state of the meadows, against which recovery actions can be measured; An 80% reduction of threats from boat anchoring; 100% prevention of uncontrolled trawling in priority areas; Demonstration of passive control measures for improving detection of actions in breach of environmental regulations protecting these ecosystems; Development of a management plan that will ensure effective future management of this ecosystem; Designing and performing extensive monitoring of the meadows, which will allow early detection of degradation of these ecosystems, thus allowing actions to be designed to understand and tackle the causes which bring about this degradation; Favouring social participation in managing these ecosystems, with an estimated participation of at least 100 volunteers per year; and Increasing social awareness about he environmental and economic value of these ecosystems in Andalusia, such as the meadows’ role (i) in breeding of commercially important fish species; (ii) as an essential attraction for developing sustainable tourism services; and (iii) in maintaining the coastline.