Background of Summer School / Introduction
Coastal biodiversity is widely recognised as a fundamental source of food and bioactive compounds, yet it is increasingly facing human impacts at both local and global scales, including overexploitation, habitat destruction, and climate change. These challenges threaten not only marine and coastal biodiversity but also the sustainability of the ecosystem services that support human well-being, according to One-Health vision. Addressing such complex and interconnected issues requires a new generation of professionals equipped with interdisciplinary knowledge and practical skills in marine environmental science and conservation. Our summer school is dedicated to these themes, aimed at fostering awareness and building capacity of attending students by providing the tools to deal with innovative, science-based solutions.
SUMMARY
The summer school aims to offer students a multidisciplinary educational opportunity to explore the different facets of Ponza Island (Italy), a small but complex environmental system that can be considered as a model for coastal and island ecological systems. Here the organizing institution (UNITUS, University of Tuscia) has a research and teaching facility dedicated to marine science.
The courses will run both online and in presence to offer participants a hands-on journey 'from sea to insight,' covering the full process of marine and coastal ecosystem investigation — from field sampling techniques at sea, through laboratory analysis of samples, to data interpretation and scientific discussion (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJcqQuRw0HM ). The knowledge acquired during the preparatory online sessions will be applied during the fieldwork, and complemented by short on-site briefings to consolidate key concepts: how to study, benefit and protect marine biodiversity, why islands are peculiar systems and how their ecosystems work. All within the unique context of the Mediterranean basin.
The main field/lab activities will deal with:
• Island Ecosystems and Communities, deepening the geological and botanical features of Ponza Island and bird communities along with their migration patterns;
• Environmental DNA (eDNA), including sampling and data analyses;
• Microorganism, Algae and marine Fungi Diversity, from sampling by diving to microbiological analyses, algal identification and preparation of an algal herbarium.
Online preparatory lectures ahead of the fieldwork will provide students with the background related to the Summer School topics.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The summer school is scheduled from September 27th to October 2nd, while online preparatory lectures will be held in advance, between June and September 2026
Participants must have an Open Water Diver scuba certification.
The summer school will award 6 ETCS. The final test will be taken on-site on the last day of the summer school.
In partnership with:
• UHOH, Hohenheim University (Germany);
• CZU, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (Czech Republic)
Hosting University
University of Tuscia (UniTus)
Venue
Ponza Island, Italy
Date
September 27 - October 2, 2026
Participants
15
Previous Knowledge
Basis knowledge of Biology, Ecology, Zoology and Botany.
Course Content
Key concepts of the course: how to study, benefit and protect marine biodiversity, why islands are peculiar systems and how their ecosystems work.
The courses will offer a hands-on journey 'from sea to insight,' covering the full process of marine and coastal ecosystem investigation — from field sampling techniques at sea, through laboratory analysis of samples, to data interpretation and scientific discussion .
Intended Learning Outcome (ILO)
The students will acquire the base knowledge of applied marine ecology and biology, including practical skills such as sampling methods, data collection and analysis.
The interdisciplinary approach will train students to approach in a flexible yet scientifically rigorous way to complex problems such as those concerning the functioning of marine and island ecosystems and biodiversity.
Students will have the opportunity to work in real-world contexts, collaborate across disciplines, and engage with experts, developing their applied skills.
Course Schedule
.To be specified later.
Course Language
English
Course Format / Teaching Methods
Online seminars followed by a one-week on site activities (field, laboratory, data analysis).
Credits
ECTS Credits and Workload Overview
| Number of Credits [ECTS] | 6 |
|---|---|
| TOTAL Workload [hours] | |
| Student's own work [hours] | |
| Contact classes [hours] | 0 |
| Exam [hours] | 2 |
Type of Assessment and Assessment Criteria
In presence written test.
Cultural Activities / Social Program
Welcome and farewell party
Tuition Fees
To be assessed. It will differs for ELLS participants and non-ELLS participants
Additional Costs
To be specified later
Accommodation
To be specified later
Health Insurance
Participants are responsible for an adequate health insurance during their participation in the program. Participants should possess an EU health insurance card.
Visa
If support letters are needed, contact the administrative contact person below.
Application Deadline
31 May 2026
Link to online Application form
Contact persons for scientific questions
Roberta Cimmaruta cimmaruta@unitus.it
Chiara Sbarbati chiara.sbarbati@unitus.it
Contact person for administrative questions
Marcella Barone marcella.barone@unitus.it