In Pioppi the Summer School 2024 for Marine Biologists, 5 days of training in the Mediterranean

The picturesque town of Pioppi is preparing to become the hub of training for future marine biologists with the “Summer School 2024”. From 2 to 6 September, the historic Palazzo Vinciprova will host an intensive course dedicated to the study of Posidonia oceanica meadows, a vital ecosystem of the Mediterranean. The event, organized by the Museo Vivo del Mare di Pioppi in collaboration with the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn of Naples, will offer participants a unique and immersive experience between theory and practice.

The program includes five days of activities that will include lectures, laboratory sessions and scuba diving in the protected waters of the “La Punta” Area of ​​Pioppi, within the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park. The inauguration will take place on September 2 at 10:00 am at the Museo Vivo del Mare. The ceremony will be attended by important institutional figures such as Stefano Pisani, Mayor of Pollica, Giuseppe Coccorullo, President of the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park, Michele Buonomo of Legambiente Campania and Valerio Calabrese, Director of the Museum of the Mediterranean Diet.

The course will be directed by Luigi Valiante, Scientific Director of the Museo Vivo del Mare, and coordinated by Paolo Fasciglione, researcher of the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn. The initiative will involve university professors, expert researchers and qualified technical-scientific personnel, who will offer a very high level of training.

Focus on the Mediterranean

The focus of the training will be on the study of Posidonia oceanica, a protected marine plant, essential for the health of the Mediterranean. This ecosystem plays a crucial role in the production of oxygen and in the protection of the coasts, but is strongly threatened by human activities. During the course, participants will acquire practical skills using the PREI (Posidonia Rapid Easy Index) methodology, developed according to the ISPRA guidelines for the monitoring of Posidonia meadows.

The course program will be divided into four main modules: the study, analysis and monitoring of Posidonia oceanica; field activities with scuba diving; laboratory activities for the analysis of samples; and finally, the processing of collected data.

Opportunities for the future

This Summer School represents a unique opportunity for students and young researchers who wish to deepen their skills in marine ecology. The course offers a rare opportunity to put into practice the theoretical knowledge learned during academic studies, working in the field with advanced techniques.

Furthermore, it will be an important step for those who intend to undertake a career in the field of marine biology, providing specific and certified skills in a sector that is increasingly crucial for the protection of our planet. The initiative takes place in a natural context of extraordinary beauty, such as the National Park of Cilento, recognized for its commitment to environmental protection and its extraordinary biodiversity.