SERE 2026: LifeWatch ERIC attends the European Conference on Ecological Restoration

SERE Conference 2026

Last week, members of LifeWatch ERIC Jorge Osman and Cristina Huertas-Olivares attended the SERE 2026 Conference, the 15th edition of the European Conference on Ecological Restoration, organised by the University of Brest’s Geoarchitecture Laboratory in close collaboration with SER-Europe and the ‘REVER’ network.

The main objective of this event was to share knowledge and strengthen links between stakeholders in ecological restoration, with a focus on ecological, social, and political considerations.

The conference tackled all aspects of restoration, across different types of ecosystems and territories, including some usually less well-integrated topics, such as the restoration of ecological networks (particularly dark infrastructure) and marine ecosystems.

Moreover, the scientific programme dedicated particular attention to the restoration of wetlands and coastal ecosystems, the application of European nature restoration legislation and the implementation of National Restoration Plans.

These topics are particularly relevant to the RECUP-DAS project, which aims to support the restoration and sustainable management of areas affected by mining activities, through an integrated approach that combines ecological restoration, monitoring, data management, and decision-support tools.

In this context, the participation in SERE 2026 provided an opportunity for LifeWatch ERIC members involved in the project to follow the latest developments, experiences and approaches in ecological restoration, and to exchange knowledge with researchers working across different ecosystems.

Jorge Osman, Scientific Project Manager, and member of the RECUP-DAS Project, attended the conference in Brest to learn from the international experiences presented during the event, including a specialised course on “Adaptive Restoration Planning Using DSS-AWERE”. The knowledge and methodologies gained through this training may prove valuable for the RECUP-DAS project, in particular in relation to the planning, monitoring, and evaluation of future ecological restoration actions in the areas affected by mining activities.

Attending SERE 2026 and the specialised training provided an opportunity to broaden the project team’s knowledge, explore relevant approaches, and strengthen connections with the wider ecological restoration community.

RECUP-DAS is co-funded by the European Union through the Andalusia ERDF Programme 2021–2027.

For more information, visit: https://sere2026.sciencesconf.org/?lang=en

LifeWatch ERIC joins ECSA 61: the Estuarine and Coastal Sciences Association Conference 2026

ECSA 61 (2)

From 24 to 27 August 2026, a global, multidisciplinary community of researchers and professionals is gathering in Belgium to discuss the urgent challenges posed by the triple planetary crisis – climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution – with threats to biodiversity representing a particularly major concern for both the planet health and human societies.

This is, in fact, the focus of “ECSA 61: Bridging the gap between science and policy in estuarine and coastal marine biodiversity: the way forward“.

Organised by Elsevier and the ECSA Association, the conference features sessions and workshops across four main topics: Physics, Ecology, Biogeochemistry, and the Human Dimension. The focus is on international collaborative actions, in particular across maritime areas, where there is urgent need to assess and manage threats, and to plan future initiatives that ensure a sustainable use of estuaries, coasts, and seas.

Building on the results of several Horizon Europe projects, this is also an opportunity to showcase the most recent advances in coastal marine research, and their application for European and international policies. For the first time, ECSA 61 also includes a “Science-meets-Policy” day on 27 August, providing an opportunity to discuss research findings with managers and decision-makers.

LifeWatch ERIC members Joaquin Lopez-Lerida, Cristina Huertas-Olivares, Julio Paneque, and CEO Christos Arvanitidis are attending the conference, contributing to two Special Sessions and presenting two posters:

In the Special Session “Toolboxes and Decision Support Systems for marine and estuarine management needs, uses and misuses”, chaired by Anita Franco (International Estuarine and Coastal Specialist Ltd, UK), they present the MARBEFES project toolbox, which integrates ecological, economic, and social analyses of marine biodiversity, together with the project partners.

In the Special Session “Environmental DNA for coastal and estuarine biodiversity monitoring and assessment: connecting scientific innovation with policy needs”, chaired by Jan Pawlowski (Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland), and Raffaele Siano (Ifremer DYNECO, France) they present tools for integrating citizen scientists into genomic observatories, to enhance coastal marine biomonitoring and ecological assessment, as well as operational eDNA workflows for biodiversity monitoring in coastal ecosystems within LifeWatch ERIC.

They also present the following posters: “Integrating decision support systems and toolboxes through the European Research Infrastructure Consortium LifeWatch”, and “From eDNA metabarcoding to operational marine biodiversity products: workflows within LifeWatch ERIC”.

Finally, they will also take part in the General Session on “Coastal and estuarine biodiversity and ecosystems”, on 26 August, where they will propose a holistic understanding of European marine biodiversity and the human communities that live within it.

For more information on this event and the full programme, visit: https://www.estuarinecoastalconference.com

Tides of Balance: the new documentary by Marine SABRES on the conservation of marine ecosystems

Marine SABRES video documentary

The EU-funded project Marine SABRES is preparing to launch Tides of Balance, a video documentary on the importance of protecting the delicate balance between marine biodiversity and the communities that depend on it. Marine SABRES, acronym for MARINE Systems Approaches for Biodiversity Resilience and Ecosystem Sustainability is dedicated to improving the management of Europe’s oceans and seas. Part of this effort involves bringing scientific research closer to the public, showing what it means to live with the sea, and why healthy marine ecosystems are essential for both nature and society.

The documentary is built on the voices and experiences of researchers, stakeholders, and local communities. Their stories engage a reflection on how small, practical actions can contribute to protect marine life in the face of climate change and the environmental transformations rapidly affecting our planet.

Tides of Balance follows scientists and coastal communities across Europe as they work together to understand – and respond to – these threats. Directed by Fabrizio Lecce, the documentary is set across three regions, the Tuscan Archipelago, the Arctic Northeast Atlantic and Macaronesia. Moving between landscapes and cultures, it offers an in-depth perspective on the intertwined relationship between people and the sea.

Through interviews, field research, and wildlife footage, it explores issues such as the impact of climate change on fisheries, the pressures of tourism, and the effort to find a balance between conservation and economic needs, between protecting the environment, and sustaining the local communities.

The documentary will soon be available on the LifeWatch ERIC Science Channel:
https://www.lifewatching.tv/tv-show/marine-sabres.

Stay tuned!

With the Marine SABRES team and:

  • Sveinn Agnarsson – Professor at School of Business – University of Iceland
  • Thor Sigfusson – Founder and Chairman of Iceland Ocean Cluster
  • Juana Ojeda García – Secretary of the Fishermen Association of Agaete & President of the Coastal Action Group of Gran Canaria
  • Raúl García Brink – Councillor for Environment, Climate, Energy, and Knowledge at Cabildo de Gran Canaria
    Island Government of Gran Canaria
  • Yonathan Ojeda Santana – Delegate in the Canary Islands at ARCOS Nautical Academy
    and the Madrid Federation for Motorboating
  • Javier Zaera Fernández – Owner of Spirit of the Sea

Wetland restoration projects join forces and speak to policy: read the joint White Paper

wetlands projects joint white paper

Collaboration is at the hearth of real impact in research. It is especially encouraging when members of research projects work together, combining their expertise, scientific evidence, and practical knowledge to deliver a shared message with one strong, science-based voice.

We are glad to announce the release of a joint, landmark white paper from a group of EU-funded projects on wetlands restoration: RESTORE4Cs, ALFAWetlands, REWET, WET HORIZONS, ForPet, Wetland4Change, and Palus Demos.

The paper is called “Prioritising Wetland Conservation and Restoration in Europe | United voices for more policy impact”. It collects scientific evidence, policy analysis, and direct experience from research actions across Europe, with the shared objective to push for urgent and coordinated action to halt wetland degradation, and accelerate its restoration.

In particular, drawing on evidence gathered from the collaborating projects, the white paper has identified four priority areas for policy action:

  • Improving policy coherence across sectors
  • Mobilising public and private financing
  • Enabling landscape scale implementation
  • Strengthening monitoring systems and stakeholder participation

You can read more information and download the full document here:

https://www.restore4cs.eu/sister-projects-release-joint-white-paper-calling-for-stronger-eu-action-to-protect-and-restore-europes-wetlands

Participating projects:

Project RECUP-DAS members at the University of Huelva for the 3rd Executive Monitoring Committee meeting

RECUP-DAS Monitoring meeting

On 24 June, the Faculty of Experimental Sciences at the University of Huelva hosted the third Executive Monitoring Committee meeting for the RECUP-DAS project, an initiative co-funded by the European Union through the Andalusia ERDF Programme 2021–2027.

The aim of RECUP-DAS is to apply DAS (Dispersed Alkaline Substrate) technology to reduce the presence of metals resulting from acid mine drainage and to develop advanced scientific monitoring and digitalisation capabilities that will enable the assessment and tracking of the environmental recovery of the River Odiel.

The meeting was attended by Susana Benavides, Director-General for Water Resources at the Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development of the Regional Government of Andalusia, and Javier Marcial de Torre, Managing Director of the Andalusian Environment and Water Agency (AMAYA), organisations which are collaborating on the project alongside the University of Huelva and LifeWatch ERIC.

During the meeting, progress was reported on the design and planning of the new DAS plant planned for the area around Mina La Poderosa, as well as the status of the work that will enable a comprehensive assessment of its environmental impact. Among them are the development of an advanced environmental monitoring system; the integration and scientific analysis of data; and the development of digital solutions that will enable land-use managers and the scientific community to assess the progress of the environmental recovery of the river Odiel.

The day concluded with a visit to the laboratories of the Mineralogy and Environmental Geochemistry Unit at the University of Huelva, led by José Miguel Nieto, principal investigator of the Tharsis Group and a leading figure in the development and application of DAS technology in the Iberian Pyrite Belt.

About RECUP-DAS:

RECUP DAS is a project co-funded by the European Union through the Andalusia ERDF Programme 2021–2027, and launched in January 2026 as a result of a collaboration agreement between the Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, the University of Huelva and LifeWatch ERIC. With a budget of 10.4 million euros, it falls under Specific Objective 2.9 of the Andalusia ERDF Programme 2021–2027, within Priority 2D STEP, which is aimed at promoting clean technologies, the ecological transition and the protection of biodiversity. As well as tackling a long-standing environmental problem linked to the discharge of water contaminated by mining activities into the ocean, the project incorporates a significant circular economy component. In this regard, research will be carried out into the reuse of solid waste generated following the treatment of acid mine drainage, as this waste may contain critical metals of strategic interest to Europe.

More info: http://lifewatch.eu/2026/01/28/recup-das

FAIR2Adapt secures EOSC Gravity funding and launches FAIR Solution webinar series

ROHub and FAIROs

FAIR2Adapt (https://www.lifewatch.eu/fair2adapt) is a multidisciplinary Horizon Europe project coordinated by LifeWatch ERIC, aiming to enable the development of comprehensive, and scientifically-sound climate adaptation strategies and plans, by transforming data into actionable knowledge.

The project has recently been selected for funding under the EOSC Gravity Inter Projects Grants call. The funded initiative, ROH-ON (https://eosc.eu/horizon-europe-projects/roh-on), will onboard two core FAIR Digital Object services -ROHub (https://www.rohub.org) and FAIROs (https://ostrails.eu/fairos) – into the EOSC Federation through the EOSC Polish Node (EOSC-PL) over the next six months.

Led by Poznan Supercomputing and Networking Center (PSNC) and Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), with LifeWatch ERIC contributing through its connection to the OSCARS-FIESTA project (https://oscars-project.eu/projects/fair-image-analysis-across-sciences), ROH-ON establishes sustainable FAIR infrastructure for the Climate Change Adaptation community. This creates a concrete onboarding pathway for further FAIR2Adapt services.

In parallel, FAIR2Adapt launched its FAIR Solution webinar series, offering practical insights into the FAIR tools and workflows developed as part of the project. Recent episodes cover the FAIRification of urban flood risk data across Hamburg and Bremen; the use of the TIB Knowledge Loom and Knowledge Dashboard to transform scientific findings into actionable insights for city planners; and an AI-assisted literature review and claim-extraction pipeline that will support Portugal’s National Adaptation Hub.

Additional webinars will be released in the coming months.
Watch the full series on the FAIR2Adapt YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@EOSCFair2Adaptproject

Agroecology Monitoring experts meet in Rome

Agroecology meetings

The European AGROECOLOGY Partnership gathers together the European Commission and 72 partners across member states, associated countries, and third countries, in order to accelerate the transition to agroecology, making farming systems more resilient, productive, and climate/biodiversity-friendly through Living Labs and Research Infrastructures.

Currently, the Partnership is developing an innovative monitoring framework that includes indicators, methodologies, and data management tools to track and measure the social, economic, environmental performances and impacts of the agroecology transition in Europe.

In the initial stage of this process, three thematic workshops were organised, focusing on agro-environmental, economic, and socio-cultural/governance, to build on expert knowledge generated by previous experiences. These workshops identified key priorities, needs and shared challenges that have informed the development of a Conceptual Framework (CF) proposing a logical structure for monitoring agroecology and its sustainability effects.

Building on this foundation, a second event was organised in Rome, on 9 and 10 June, to review and refine the Framework and identify shared priorities and recommendations through collaborative expert engagement. The event featured two discussion sessions, one consolidating lessons learnt from the previous thematic workshops, and one fostering a shared vision for the future.

The experts met in the Coopertiva Coraggio premises for two and a half days to identify priority areas of action of the AGROECOLOGY Partnership, structure an action plan, and validate the Conceptual Framework structure and its three monitoring lenses.

For more information about the partnership, visit: https://www.agroecologypartnership.eu/en

Exploring Ocean Connections Through Interactive Science with “Marine SABRES in Fairs” in Iceland

MarineSABRES in Fairs - Iceland

On 7 June 2026, the “Marine SABRES in Fairs” initiative took part in the Fishermen’s Day celebration (Sjómannadagurinn) in Hafnarfjörður, Iceland, contributing to a public outreach event organised by the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute (Hafrannsóknastofnun – Hafró), with the support of LifeWatch ERIC for Marine SABRES activities.

The annual celebration, deeply rooted in Iceland’s maritime culture, brought together a broad audience and offered a valuable opportunity to engage the public with marine science. In this context, Marine SABRES and the ICEWATER projects set up an interactive space dedicated to marine ecosystems, fisheries, and the relationship between people and the ocean.

Marine SABRES focused on topics such as food webs, ecosystem connectivity, fisheries, marine research, and the human dimension of marine systems, while ICEWATER highlighted coastal ecosystems and marine biodiversity. Visitors were invited to explore these themes through a combination of visual materials, informal discussions, and hands-on activities.

Throughout the day, visitors were introduced to the Marine SABRES project through presentations, visual displays, and interactive activities, including the serious game developed by LifeWatch ERIC. Participants could build marine food webs, explore fish otoliths (ear bones) used by scientists to estimate fish age, learn about cod anatomy, discover how researchers study the ocean using research vessels and scientific equipment, observe live phytoplankton through a microscope connected to a display screen, and take part in a range of hands-on activities and puzzles.

The programme also extended outdoors, where visitors could explore a fish exhibition featuring a variety of species, including crabs, cephalopods, and deep-sea organisms. Many also had the opportunity to visit Hafró’s newest research vessel, Þórunn Þórðardóttir, and learn more about marine research at sea.

The event welcomed a steady flow of visitors throughout the day, including families, students, tourists, and local residents. It provided an excellent opportunity to showcase Marine SABRES research in an accessible and interactive way, demonstrating how science communication can strengthen ocean literacy and foster dialogue between researchers and society. The combination of hands-on activities, visual storytelling, real scientific material, immersive underwater footage, and direct interaction with researchers encouraged visitors not only to learn about marine ecosystems and fisheries, but also to discuss how people, science, and the ocean are connected.

Take a look at our photogallery and relive the highlights of the day, exploring fisheries, marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and ocean research.

We would like to thank all volunteers and collaborators from the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute for their contribution to the event, and especially Sandra Rybicki for the collaboration and for providing the summary text and photographs.

For more information about the project, visit Marine SABRES official website:
www.marinesabres.eu

“Marine SABRES in Fairs” joins Fishermen’s Day in Iceland

Marine SABRES in Fairs - Iceland

The next “Marine SABRES in Fairs” will take part in Fishermen’s Day in Hafnarfjörður, Iceland, on June 7, 2026, joining a rich outreach and educational programme hosted and organised by the Marine & Freshwater Research Institute.

Fishermen’s Day, celebrated annually on the first Sunday of June, is a long-standing national tradition in Iceland that honours the country’s deep connection to the sea and its fishing heritage. Established in 1938, the celebration has evolved into a nationwide event featuring harbour festivities, cultural activities, and educational initiatives that engage communities of all ages with maritime life and ocean culture.

In this context, the Marine & Freshwater Research Institute will open its doors in at its headquarters in Hafnarfjörður, offering visitors a diverse programme that combines science, education, and hands-on activities. The event will include ship inspections aboard the research vessel Þórunn Þórðardóttir HF 300, access to the permanent fish exhibition Hafró, a series of interactive workshops related to marine research and coastal ecosystems, and marine science education activities with Marine SABRES.

Within this framework, Marine SABRES in Fairs will contribute through interactive materials and participatory learning experiences. The initiative aims to raise awareness of the impacts of human activities and environmental change on marine biodiversity, and to highlight the role of science in supporting more sustainable ocean governance.

Fore more information about the event, visit the Marine & Freshwater Research Institute website: https://www.hafogvatn.is/is/midlun/frettir-og-tilkynningar/skipaskodun-fiskisyning-fjoldyrasmidja-og-fraedsla-a-sjomannadaginm

For more information about the project, visit Marine SABRES official website: www.marinesabres.eu

“Marine SABRES in Fairs” returns to FIMAR in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Marine SABBRES in Fairs - FIMAR 2026

From 22 to 24 May 2026, LifeWatch ERIC and ULPGC-ECOAQUA (University Institute for Research in Sustainable Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems) presented the Marine SABRES project at FIMAR 2026 – Feria Internacional del Mar in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, co-organising a new event within the “Marine SABRES in Fairs” series.

Now in its 15th edition, FIMAR attracted more than 14,000 visitors over three days, offering a rich programme including commercial exhibitions, technical sessions, public talks, boat visits, nautical demonstrations, and educational activities for all audiences. Once again the fair confirmed its role as a key reference event for the blue economy in the Canary Islands.

Within this dynamic context, the Marine SABRES booth provided an interactive and engaging space where visitors could explore marine biodiversity, ecosystem conservation and restoration, and the role of research in supporting a sustainable blue economy. From the very beginning, the stand attracted a wide and diverse audience, including school students, families, young people, and curious visitors, all eager to learn more about the ocean and its ecosystems.

Participants had the opportunity to engage directly with the project through visual materials, like the documentary trailers, discussions, and hands-on experiences. One of the highlights was the demonstration of the Marine SABRES Serious Game, which received very positive and enthusiastic feedback from both younger and adult audiences. Designed as an educational tool for classrooms, the game introduces key concepts of marine biology and coastal ecology in an interactive way, sparking curiosity and encouraging learning through play.

Researchers from the ULPGC-ECOAQUA team also showcased the extraordinary biodiversity of Macaronesia, the project’s third Demonstration Area. Through scientific materials and samples, including rhodoliths, key components of valuable marine ecosystems in the Canary Islands, visitors were able to gain a deeper understanding of marine habitats and the importance of their protection and restoration.

Have a look at our photogallery, enjoy all the moments of this incredible event exploring marine biodiversity and ecosystems, sustainability and blue economy!

The next stop of “Marine SABRES in Fairs” will be Iceland, where we will join the celebrations of Fishermen’s Day on 7 June 2026, hosted by the Marine & Freshwater Research Institute. Discover more: https://www.lifewatch.eu/2026/05/29/marine-sabres-in-fairs-joins-fishermens-day-in-iceland/

For more information about the project, visit Marine SABRES official website:
www.marinesabres.eu