Citizen Science Projects
Posidonia Gardeners: Restoring Posidonia oceanica in the Mediterranean
We are thrilled to announce the launch of Posidonia Gardeners, a groundbreaking citizen science project dedicated to the protection and restoration of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica, a keystone species of the Mediterranean Sea. With the generous support and funding from IMPETUS, we are embarking on an ambitious mission to make a tangible impact on the marine ecosystems of Sicily, the Aeolian Islands, and Malta.
Posidonia oceanica plays a vital role in maintaining the health and biodiversity of our precious marine environment. Unfortunately, these magnificent seagrass meadows are facing numerous threats, including habitat degradation and human activities. As passionate environmentalists, we believe it is our collective responsibility to safeguard and restore this invaluable ecosystem.
“Posidonia Gardeners” combines the power of citizen science, collaboration, and education to create a positive and lasting impact on the Mediterranean’s largest island. Through a one-month sailing campaign aboard the research vessel Waya Waya, we will engage professional and citizen scientists in data collection and hands-on replanting efforts. Together, we will work closely with local entities, dive centers, watersports clubs, and like-minded organizations to extend our reach and inspire a larger community of individuals committed to marine conservation.
We recognize the importance of monitoring and evaluation. The data collected by our diverse group of participants will be carefully processed and analyzed by our experienced team at Project Manaia. Through these efforts, we aim to identify best practices, evaluate success rates in replanting, and track the development of Posidonia meadows across the Mediterranean Sea. This valuable knowledge will enable us to implement targeted activities in crucial areas, ensuring the preservation and growth of Posidonia oceanica.
At Posidonia Gardeners, we understand that change begins with education and awareness. We aim to dispel the prejudice surrounding seagrass meadows by highlighting their essential role in supporting local fish populations and maintaining a healthy ecosystem. By fostering an ongoing dialogue and organizing regular check-ups, we will create opportunities for participants to exchange knowledge and streamline their efforts, ensuring a collective and sustainable impact.
We invite you to join us on this extraordinary journey to protect and restore Posidonia oceanica. Together, we can make a difference and leave a positive legacy for future generations. Explore our website to learn more about how you can get involved, contribute to our mission, and become one of the Posidonia Gardeners.
Supported by
This project supported by three organizations.
IMPETUS4CS – September 2023, in Sicily, Malta and Aeolian Islands.
Umweltstiftung Greenpeace 2022-2023, in Italy
Deutsche Stiftung Meeresschutz (DSM) 2012- 2022-2023, in Italy and France
Spot Invasive Species
Invasive species are animals and plants that move to new areas and cause problems for people, like costing money or harming our health.
We made a list of species we need to watch closely. Our goal is to see how these newcomers affect the environment. Both the invasive species and the ones that were already there have a tough time dealing with the changes.
The Mediterranean Sea is at risk because new species are coming in from the south through the Suez Canal. As these new species move north toward the Adriatic Sea, the native species get stuck along the coast of Italy. This is a big problem because many species could die out because they don’t have enough space to survive. And you can help us to track their progress with your sightings!
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