Non-indigenous species (NIS) pose a significant threat to biodiversity and ecosystems globally, ranking as the second most common cause of species extinctions. Particularly in the Adriatic Sea, a hub for fishing, tourism and maritime traffic, the introduction of NIS has the potential to exacerbate ecological and economic impacts. ALIENA aims at creating a shared knowledge base and collaborative monitoring system to protect biodiversity from NIS in the Adriatic Sea. Through joint monitoring and modeling efforts focused on these species, the project seeks to develop early warning solutions essential for effective marine management, biodiversity conservation, and public health protection. Additionally, it aims to improve shared protocols for NIS detection, monitoring, and management, while also increasing stakeholders’ awareness of NIS issues.
30 months from 01/03/2024 to 31/08/2026
General aims
– Build a common system of joint knowledge and monitoring to enhance biodiversity protection against non-indigenous species (NIS), starting from the identification of target NIS that could pose a threat to local marine ecosystems, also impacting socio-economic activities;
– conduct shared monitoring and modeling activities on target NIS to develop an early warning protocol shared throughout the Adriatic area;
– enhance citizen science and other communication activities to foster active cooperation and raise awareness among stakeholders towards biodiversity protection.
CMCC role
CMCC will mainly work on climate change scenarios that may influence the spread of the investigated species in the Adriatic Sea. Specifically, CMCC will work on WP2 in the development of model simulations and forecasting systems in the Adriatic and pilot areas, thus also contributing to the development of the early warning system and information system of ALIENA. Also the observation component in the Apulia Region pilot will be upgraded, with the addition of a phytofind instrument for HAB to be installed in the buoy in Torre Guaceto, already equipped by CMCC in previous projects. Another important contribution of CMCC will be on ocean literacy activities and science communication, supporting the stakeholders dialogue and the good practice sharing.
Activities
ALIENA project will achieve the following activities:
– conduct four pilot observation campaigns implementing conventional and innovative methodologies to enhance technical skills of partners and acquire valuable ecosystem data;
– develop joint solutions for indications and recommendations for setting up and executing similar monitoring and modeling campaigns, stimulating the dissemination of knowledge and best practices and enabling the replication of experiences and results in other contexts and organizations;
– organize a joint summer course to summarize the results of monitoring and modeling activities;
– develop an early warning protocol for various target NIS and extensively test it during pilot activities;
– organize a joint transnational event around M18, presenting the initial key activities, outputs, and results to stakeholders;
– organize a series of workshops, local-level events, and a final public event.
Expected results
ALIENA project will achieve the following results:
– identification of Target NIS throught the Adriatic Sea;
– development of a common monitoring system to enhance biodiversity protection against NIS;
– sharing jointly developed solutions and methodologies to enable their replication in other contexts and organizations, with a Summer School summarizing results;
– development and test of an early warning protocol for different target NIS during pilot activities;
– organization of a transnational event around M18 to present key activities, outputs, and achievements, along with other workshops and events to engage stakeholders;
– adopting a cross-border approach for NIS management, emphasizing data sharing and harmonizing monitoring procedures to improve policy efficacy;
– implementation of citizen science to foster active cooperation and responsible behaviors by sharing monitoring technologies with both local and foreign populations.
Partners
Regional Environmental Protection Agency of Friuli Venezia Giulia (ARPA FVG)
Ruđer Bošković Institute (IRB)
Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change Foundation (CMCC)
Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (IOR)
Apulian Regional Agency for Environmental Prevention and Protection (ARPA PUGLIA)
Bluefarm s.r.l.