Date: 15 October 2023
The MedSeaPod project is entering a crucial phase with the selection of the latest generation of devices intended for monitoring the temperature of ultra-coastal waters. This innovative citizen science initiative, with the active participation of the Carloforte community, is now ready to begin the training and testing of the working team, marking a significant step toward understanding marine dynamics and analyzing the impacts of climate change on the Mediterranean Sea.
The selected devices, from Honset, were chosen for their accuracy, ease of use and reliability in marine conditions. The training phase aims to transfer the appropriate knowledge to the project team to equip the participants, referred to as “citizen scientists,” with the skills needed to use these instruments effectively. The training sessions, conducted by the project’s scientific manager , Dr. Stefano Marras of CNR IAS, included detailed instructions on device operation, initial setting, as well as best practices for collecting and recording environmental data.
involving not only the project’s scientific and technical members but also the staff responsible for communicating with citizen scientists.
In parallel with the training, the project team conducted a series of pilot tests on the devices, involving not only the project’s scientific and technical members but also the staff responsible for communicating with citizen scientists. The tests conducted in a controlled environment (not in the marine environment) to ensure maximum efficiency and accuracy in data collection, were also critical to consolidate good practices in the use of the loggers and to ensure that the MedSeaPod project can provide accurate and timely information that is critical for scientific analysis and for the development of marine ecosystem conservation strategies.
This testing phase allowed the effectiveness, accuracy, and usability of the devices to be evaluated under simulated conditions, ensuring that each component was fully functional and ready for field deployment. The participation of communication professionals, in addition to that of researchers and technicians, was crucial, allowing for the refinement of the dissemination and training strategies aimed at the citizens involved in the project.
The inclusion of communication professionals in the testing of the devices proved to be a strategic choice, aimed at ensuring that instructions and information regarding the use of the devices were clear, accessible and easily understood by all participants. This approach is intended to facilitate effective and productive citizen involvement in the data collection process, ensuring that they can contribute meaningfully to the success of the research.
Stefano Marras emphasized the importance of this phase, “By selecting the most advanced devices and starting the training and testing sessions, we want to make sure that our team is well prepared to face the challenges of environmental monitoring in the field. This is a very important step for the success of our project and for our common goal of preserving marine biodiversity.”
With the conclusion of this testing phase, the MedSeaPod project is moving closer to its field implementation to begin actual monitoring of ultra-coastal waters.
