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 the One-Health approach. 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 person 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 July and September 2026
Participants must have an Open Water Diver scuba certification.
The summer school will award 5 ECTS. 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 (minimum 12 participants to activate the summer school)
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)
After completing the course, the participants should manage the basics of applied marine ecology and biology, including practical skills such as sampling methods, data collection and analysis.
Students should be able 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
- July and September 2026: Online lessons + self-preparatory study.
- September 27th to October 2nd: Field activities on Ponza Island.
Day0 - Sunday 27th –Arrival in Ponza by one’s own means. Information on train and ferry schedules will be provided to participants at the end of May.
Day1 – Monday 28th - Boat tour of the Island & Snorkeling from the boat: geological and botanical features of the Island, with sampling of algae and eDNA
Day2 – Tuesday 29th - Walking across the island for geological, soils and botanical survey, and Deployment of Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) devices for birds’ identification (morning); laboratory activity: algal herbarium and examination of coastal fauna (afternoon)
Day3 – Wednesday 30th - Scuba sampling for microbiology and marine fungi (morning); laboratory activity: microbiology and marine fungi diversity + seminar on PAM data processing (afternoon)
Day4 – Thursday October 1st - Bird community and migration patterns (morning); eDNA analysis and data processing (afternoon)
Day5 – Friday October 2nd – Laboratory: Microbiology results analysis + Seminar on water scarcity on islands; Final TEST (2 hours).
The program content will be delivered in full; however, field activities may be adjusted depending on weather conditions.
Course Language
English (B2 required)
Course Format / Teaching Methods
Online seminars followed by five days for on-site activities (field, laboratory, data analysis)
Credits
ECTS Credits and Workload Overview
| Number of Credits [ECTS] | 5 |
|---|---|
| TOTAL Workload [hours] | 125 |
| Student's own work [hours] | 70 |
| Contact classes [hours] | 55 (15 hours online + 40 hours on site) |
| Exam [hours] | 2 |
Type of Assessment and Assessment Criteria
On site written test
Cultural Activities / Social Program
Welcome and farewell party; networking opportunities on site with shared lunches and dinners (either on boat or at the hotel).
Tuition Fees
Reduced fee: €500 for UNITUS or ELLS students. Full fee: €600 for non ELLS participants. The fee includes: full participation in all Summer School activities; teaching materials; accommodation in shared rooms at Hotel Bellavista in Ponza with breakfast and dinner; 2 lunches on board.
Payment is due following the selection and acceptance procedure.
Additional Costs
At the participants’ expense:
- The rental of diving equipment (available onsite, €30 per day)
- 3 lunches
- Travel in full.
Accommodation
Accommodation is included in the tuition fee and provided in shared rooms at Hotel Bellavista in Ponza with breakfast and dinner included for the duration of the Summer School.
FURTHER REQUIREMENTS
A valid Open Water Diver certificate is mandatory for participation, as indicated in the application form.
Health Insurance
Participants are responsible for adequate health insurance during their participation in the program. Participants should have a valid EU health insurance card (EHIC).
Visa
Participants are responsible for checking whether they need a visa to enter Italy and for completing the application process in time. If required, the organizing committee can provide an official invitation/acceptance letter upon request after selection/registration.
Application Deadline
20/05/2026
Link to online Application form
https://forms.office.com/e/JZExBs0c8m
Contact persons for scientific questions
Roberta Cimmaruta - ponzame_ells@unitus.it
Chiara Sbarbati - ponzame_ells@unitus.it
Contact person for administrative questions
Felicetta Ripa - fripa@unitus.it