Macroalgal forests represent some of the most productive and diverse ecosystems on Earth and support critical ecosystem goods and services. However, they are experiencing a global decline, which stresses the need for prioritizing conservation and restoration initiatives. The goal of REFINE is to assess and enhance the conservation of fucalean forests in the northern Adriatic. Firstly, we will conduct extensive field surveys to evaluate the current distribution and abundance of known, suspected and unsurveyed fucalean communities. By comparing historical records with recent observations, we seek to understand temporal variations in their distribution patterns. Next, we will analyse the abundance, morphological traits, and physiological status of fucalean species among diverse habitats. This analysis will provide insights into how different ecological factors impact the characteristics and well-being of these communities. Furthermore, we will investigate the reproductive phenology of fucalean species across different habitats in order to understand how environmental conditions influence their reproductive cycles. This information will be crucial for developing more effective conservation strategies. Building on these findings, we will improve upon already piloted and some newly developed ex-situ and in-situ restoration approaches by applying them in three different habitats: rockpools, shallow subtidal, and urban coastal areas. This evaluation will help us determine the effectiveness of these methods in restoring fucalean forests in their natural, but also more urbanised environment, in which they are still found. Overall, our project combines field surveys, laboratory experiments, and innovative restoration approaches, contributing to the overall marine forest conservation and restoration efforts in the northern Adriatic and beyond, contributing to the conservation of marine biodiversity in the wider region.