Research database

POSEIDON aims to study, develop and test new methodologies to provide knowledge, ultra-high- and beyond ultra-high-resolution mapping and monitoring for the conservation of Posidonia Oceanica (PO) and related meadows and banquettes in the Mediterranean area. The project stems from the recommendation of international organizations (European Environmental Directives, Mediterranean PO Network, International Partnership for Blue Carbon, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO in the Save the Wave project). It will follow a specific workflow, accurately reported in the next sections, to improve the actual knowledge of the PO in view of the blue carbon conservation. There is an increasing concern about conservation status of subtidal ecological systems due to the Climate Change effects and extreme events that globally affect coastal areas interacting with local anthropogenic disturbances; we are assisting at increasing demand for high, very-high and ultra-high resolution products with metric and radiometric contents. Although many geomatics instruments, techniques and methods for study and monitoring are already available for the terrestrial areas, for the underwater context (more than 70% of Earth), the challenge is still open. Starting from new integrated survey methods and legacy data, the PO will be mapped to understand the evolution of the banquettes and meadows and extract indicators and trends useful from improving the actual knowledge. Furthermore the produced information will be stored and shared in a webGIS and in a dedicated app for distributing data on PO meadows to avoid unexpected damages during sailing and other activities. POSEIDON will address mission M2 of the Italian PNRR (Green revolution and energetic transition) according to component C4 (Landscape and water resources protection), scopes M2C4.1 (Boosting the forecasting capacity of climate change effects) and M2C4.3 (Safeguarding the air quality and biodiversity through the protection of green areas, ground and marine areas), investments I3.2 (Digitalization of Natural parks) and I3.5 (Restoration and protection of the seabed and marine habitats). The project’s scopes are in line with the PNRR objectives for the restoration and protection of the marine habitats that will translate into the safeguard and recovery of at least 20 percent of the seabed and marine habitats in Italian waters. This objective is crucial to achieve the EU target of protecting diversity and promoting the sustainability of fishing activities, tourism and blue growth. POSEIDON will work for protecting the marine habitats to prevent the disappearance of the Mediterranean ecosystems (M1, M5 in B.1.2), increasing tourism and knowledge of the analyzed areas (M4, M6 in B.1.2), and improving the research using new technological instruments and tools (M2, M3 in B.1.2). The following image shows the logical schema of POSEIDON links, from needs and gaps to targets.