UNESCO International Day of Caves and Karst: A New Global Platform for Exploration, Research, and Protection

International Day of Caves and Karst

Nadja Zupan Hajna, Karst Research Institute ZRC SAZU, International Union of Speleology (UIS)

On 12 November 2025, the UNESCO General Conference proclaimed 13 September as the International Day of Caves and Karst (IDCK). The new International Day provides a permanent global platform for raising awareness of the importance of caves and karst for biodiversity, water resources, geodiversity, scientific research, cultural heritage and sustainable development. Caves and karst systems are often hidden from view, yet they contain unique natural archives and support highly specialised ecosystems, including many endemic and cave-adapted species that depend on stable subterranean environments.

This makes the International Day particularly relevant to the LifeWatch ERIC community, where biodiversity research, long-term observation, data integration and the study of specialised habitats are central themes. Subterranean ecosystems are especially vulnerable to environmental change, pollution, changes in groundwater conditions, land use and other human pressures. Better knowledge of these environments is therefore essential not only for understanding their exceptional biodiversity, but also for their effective conservation.

The initiative for the International Day originated within the International Union of Speleology (UIS) and grew out of the successful International Year of Caves and Karst 2021–2022. The process was led by Nadja Zupan Hajna of the Karst Research Institute ZRC SAZU, who, as UIS President from 2022, made formal UNESCO recognition of caves and karst one of the main goals of her mandate and coordinated the preparation of the proposal, its scientific justification and the building of broad international support. The Republic of Slovenia subsequently submitted the UIS proposal through the formal UNESCO procedure. The initiative ultimately received wide international support and established 13 September as an annual day dedicated to caves and karst.

The first global celebration of the UNESCO International Day of Caves and Karst took place in Postojna, Slovenia, from 10 to 13 September 2026. It was jointly organised by the Karst Research Institute ZRC SAZU and the International Union of Speleology (UIS), with the support and cooperation of the Slovenian National Commission for UNESCO and Slovenian partner institutions. The events were held under the patronage of UNESCO and the honorary patronage of the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Nataša Pirc Musar, who personally attended the central ceremony in Postojna Cave and addressed the participants.

At the heart of the programme was the international scientific conference “Explore, Understand and Protect: Towards Sustainable Management of Caves and Karst”, which brought together around 160 participants from 35 countries on five continents. Scientific sessions addressed biodiversity and geodiversity, cave and karst protection, groundwater management, climate change, pollution, geohazards, new research technologies, education and sustainable management. The central celebration in Postojna Cave brought together participants and invited guests from 43 countries.

The first celebration in Postojna was only the beginning. The aim is for 13 September to become an annual global opportunity to explore, understand and protect caves and karst, connecting researchers, cavers, conservationists, educators, local communities and decision makers. For biodiversity initiatives such as LifeWatch ERIC, the IDCK also offers an important opportunity to make the often-invisible diversity of subterranean ecosystems more visible and to strengthen cooperation between research, monitoring and conservation.

Text by Nadja Zupan Hajna, Group picture by Valter Leban, taken during the first global celebration of the UNESCO International Day of Caves and Karst in Postojna, Slovenia.
More info and gallery: https://izrkp.zrc-sazu.si/en/novice/the-main-ceremony-marking-the-first-celebration-of-unesco-international-day-of-caves-and

European Researchers’ Night 2026: taking science across Europe

European Researchers' Night 2026

On 25 September 2026, LifeWatch ERIC and its Distributed Centres participated in several initiatives of the European Researchers’ Night (#ERN), bringing biodiversity science, research and innovation closer to citizens across Europe.

  • Understanding the importance of marine ecosystems

In Lecce, Italy, the former Olivetani Monastery hosted a series of informative events, such as project booths, documentary projections, and small-scale reconstructions of extremely fascinating scientific experiments. The Marine SABRES project was present with a “Marine SABRES in Fairs” booth.

Visitors could test the Marine SABRES Serious Game, developed by LifeWatch ERIC as an interactive experience designed to explore the complex relationships between human activities, marine ecosystems, and human well-being, while reflecting on the choices and trade-offs involved in achieving a more sustainable future.

The event also featured the screening of “Tides of Balance”, the Marine SABRES documentary directed by Fabrizio Lecce, offering perspectives on the challenges and opportunities surrounding the sustainable use and management of marine ecosystems.

  • Exploring solutions for mine-impacted waters

The ERN in Huelva, Spain, included a series of activities, interactive labs, and dialogues promoted by the University of Huelva with the objective to bring science closer to the public. The RECUP-DAS project was there, and presented a workshop on “Ecological treatment of acid mine drainage”, through the Environmental Mineralogy and Geochemistry Group of the University of Huelva (one of the project partners).

The workshop introduced the technology at the core of RECUP-DAS: Dispersed Alkaline Substrate (DAS), a passive treatment system that can neutralise the acidity of water from mining-impacted sites while efficiently retaining metals.

The technology was developed by researchers of the Tharsis research group at the University of Huelva, and will be applied as part of RECUP-DAS in the surroundings of Mina La Poderosa, by building a new DAS treatment plant within the Tinto and Odiel river basins, historically affected by the presence of metals. A real-time monitoring system developed by LifeWatch ERIC will also support the creation of a digital twin of the treatment plant, demonstrating how digital technologies can contribute to environmental monitoring and research.

  • Learning about the herborisation of algae specimens

In Porto, Portugal, the ERN rolled out with interactive experiences, demonstrations with scientists, games, workshops, and much more. The Portuguese National Distributed Centre of LifeWatch ERIC is managed by PORBIOTA. In Porto, Portugal, PORBIOTA was represented by the Natural History and Science Museum of the University of Porto at the European Researchers’ Night held at the i3S – Institute for Research and Innovation in Health.

As part of the “Bridges for Science” project, the team organised a workshop on the herborisation of algae specimens, offering participants a hands-on opportunity to explore biodiversity research and scientific collections.

Overall, participating in these initiatives across Europe has been a great chance to bring scientific work beyond the research community, where it can open a dialogue with citizens and show the value of biodiversity and ecosystem research to address environmental challenges.

Applications open for the MARBEFES Autumn School 2026: learn to use biodiversity assessment tools!

MARBEFES Autumn School 2026

The MARBEFES project (MARine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning leading to Ecosystem Services) is hosting the new edition of its Autumn School in October 2026, after last year’s very successful event in Seville.

Titled “The MARBEFES Toolbox: from marine diversity to societal value”, the School covers topics such as ecological assessment, socio-cultural and economic valuation, cross-cutting decision-support tools, and their uptake in real management settings.

Particular emphasis is placed on the ecological tools developed by the project, and collected in the MARBEFES Toolbox: over three days, participants will learn how to use the Toolbox for measuring and valuing marine biodiversity, and presenting science-based results to decision-makers. Students will also learn how to use these tools to tackle real marine-management problems.

The School takes place in Lecce, Italy, from 27 to 29 October, and will host 20 participants selected among the applicants, covering travel and accommodation expenses. Day 1 focuses on ecological tools, day 2 broadens out to valuation and cross-cutting tools, and day 3 moves on from project outputs to their uptake, sustainability, and integrated application. The programme includes a welcome aperitif and a social dinner.

Who is it for? MSc students, early-career researchers and PhD, as well as practitioners, marine managers and policy makers at various levels, with a focus or interest in marine biodiversity assessment, ecosystem-services valuation, and decision support. School sessions require a general environmental-science background, while no prior experience with the specific tools is required. Several sessions are hands-on, therefore, participants are encouraged to take an active part in the exercises and group work.

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

  • Describe how the MARBEFES Toolbox links marine biodiversity and ecosystem functioning to ecosystem services and societal benefits;
  • Apply selected MARBEFES ecological tools to assess biodiversity, ecological structure, functioning and vulnerability;
  • Employ socio-cultural and economic methods to value marine biodiversity in monetary, and non-monetary terms;
  • Illustrate how to run cross-cutting tools such as Bow-Tie Analysis and the HG&OG governance and knowledge-graph approach, to support management decisions;
  • Explain how to design and develop ecological tools to ensure their FAIRness, following the example of the MARBEFES outputs.

More details on the programme, venue, and terms can be found at: https://www.lifewatch.eu/marbefes-autumn-school-2026

Apply now to learn about the societal value of marine biodiversity, and how the MARBEFES Toolbox can support decision-making in this field: https://zfrmz.eu/UUQQaW5B0ThDa276dDGD.

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

15th International Polychaete Conference: the role of RIs in Polychaete Biodiversity Science

IPC15 Conference

From 27 to 31 July 2026, the Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum of Frankfurt (Germany) is hosting the 15th International Polychaete Conference (IPC15), bringing together researchers and students working on all aspects of polychaete biology.

From systematics and morphology, to ecology, physiology, development and evolution, each day of the conference is centred around a specific aspect of polychaete research, and is introduced by a keynote talk:

  • Thomas Bartolomaeus, from Bonn University in Germany, introduces “Morphology and Physiology”;
  • Joana Zanol, from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, introduces “Taxonomy, Systematics and Phylogenomics”;
  • Monika Bright, from Vienna University in Austria, introduces “Ecology, Biodiversity & Conservation”;
  • Elaine Seaver, from Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience – USA, introduces “Model Annelids & Evo-Devo”.

The programme includes 15-minute contributed sessions and a poster exhibition. Christos Arvanitidis, LifeWatch ERIC’s CEO, is attending the Conference and presenting the abstract “From Ecology to Omics: Dataset Publication and the Role of Research Infrastructures in Polychaete Biodiversity Science“, a work involving also Daniel Martin and Rafael Sardá from the Centre d’Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB, CSIC), Spain.

The talk analyses current shifts in the way marine biodiversity knowledge is produced, disseminated, and reused, taking Polychaete research as an ideal model for the investigation of these dynamics. According to this comparative analyses, genetic/genomic datasets are associated with substantially higher publication growth rates than conventional ecological datasets, particularly since the 2000s. These patterns may suggest a stronger amplification potential of properly published, standardised, interoperable, and reusable datasets, where FAIR-compliant publication practices, and the facilitating role of Research Infrastructures, have the potential to enable long-term scientific reuse of knowledge. The full abstract is available in the IPC15 Book of Abstracts.

For more information about the conference, visit: https://polychaete-association.com/ipc15-frankfurt

Highlights from BEeS 2026: Four days of biodiversity science in Plovdiv

BEeS 2026 Conference

From 7 to 10 July, the biodiversity and ecosystem research community gathered in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, for LifeWatch ERIC’s Biodiversity and Ecosystem eScience Conference (BEeS 2026), bringing together 216 registrants from 28 countries (and co-located with LifeWatch ERIC’s General Assembly).

Across four days of scientific exchange, discussions, and hands-on activities, researchers and infrastructure experts explored how digital technologies (including artificial intelligence) have the potential to shape the future of biodiversity and ecosystem research.

As LifeWatch ERIC’s flagship event, each edition of BEeS is hosted by one of its Distributed Centres, and this year the spotlight was on LifeWatch Bulgaria, with the conference taking place at the Agricultural University – Plovdiv (AUP). The event opened with welcoming remarks from AUP Rector Prof. Boryana Ivanova, and Vice-rector Prof. Dimo Atanasov, alongside Prof. Alberto Basset, Interim Director of LifeWatch ERIC’s Service Centre, and Christos Arvanitidis, LifeWatch ERIC’s CEO.

The expertise of the Bulgarian Distributed Centre inspired many of this year’s conference topics, and provided the ideal setting for the official launch of the LifeWatch ERIC’s Thematic Service Working Group on Agroecology. During this pre-conference session on 7 July, the Working Group members worked together to align agroecological priorities and digital services, and to define the future roadmap and action areas of the WG.

The pre-conference programme also included updates from the other Thematic Services Working Groups: an open discussion with coordinators presenting their current activities and exploring future priorities.

From 8 to 10 July, the conference moved into its main scientific programme with 5 keynote sessions from Prof. Tatyana Bileva (Agricultural University Plovdiv), Dr. Dessislava Dimitrova (IBER-BAS), Prof. Carl Beierkuhnlein (University of Bayreuth/Universidad de Granada), Prof. Vladislav Popov (Agricultural University Plovdiv) and Dr. Anne Fouilloux (LifeWatch ERIC). The Key Notes focused on biodiversity conservation, responses to climate change, agroecology, as well as new frontiers for eScience. The speakers bios and summaries of each keynote are available here: https://www.lifewatch.eu/bees-2026-meet-the-speakers.

The contributed programme featured 70 talks distributed over several parallel sessions covering 12 scientific topics (the Book of Abstracts will be published and announced soon!). These contributions showcased the wide breadth and ranges of application of current biodiversity and ecosystem research, from ecological and environmental modelling, to data infrastructures and emerging digital tools. Presentations slides (only those where permission for publication has been granted by the authors) are available online on this page: https://www.lifewatch.eu/bees-2026-presentations.

Beyond the contributed sessions, BEeS 2026 offered opportunities for practical learning and community engagement. Participants joined 6 Masterclasses, 11 Training Sessions, a documentary screening, networking sessions, and the BioBEeS, a citizen science bioblitz dedicated to documenting Bulgaria’s animal, plant and fungal biodiversity. The initiative, launched by LifeWatch Italy, concluded during the conference Social Dinner with the announcement of the two winners: Lorenzo Braga and Sara Strah.

Acting as a platform for international collaboration in biodiversity and ecosystem research, BEeS 2026 has raised many positive comments among participants. One of them, shared in the post-conference feedback read: “This conference demonstrated that to save nature, we must first understand it in detail. Thanks to platforms like LifeWatch ERIC, science now has the digital senses to decipher ecological crises and offer real, timely technological solutions”.

We are already looking forward to the next edition. Until then, stay tuned for updates!

Processing open weather radar data in an operational pipeline

IRAC 2026 (1)

From 24 to 26 June 2026, the University of Amsterdam hosts the 5th International Radar Aeroecology Conference (IRAC 2026: https://hirad.science/irac-2026).

This event covers the latest international developments relevant to the use of different types of radars to monitor and understand flying animals, and this year it includes an optional two-day workshop taking place before the conference, on the use of weather radar for applications in aeroecology.

On this occasion, researchers from the Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics presented their latest work: processing weather radar data from across Europe to create vertical profiles, revealing the movements of animals migrating through the skies.

High-quality radar data is only available for a few days, so workflows must run regularly to capture it. That’s why LifeWatch ERIC teamed up with these researchers to build a new feature in our software, enabling scientists to schedule their workflows automatically, and ensuring vertical profiles are generated while the data is still available.

You can read the full abstract here: https://hirad.science/irac-2026/abstracts/#bakr

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

LifeWatch ERIC in Lecce at the launch of the NBFC Biodiversity Gateway Demo Center

On 29 May 2026, the city of Lecce, home to the LifeWatch ERIC Service Centre, launches the new Demo Center of the National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC) Biodiversity Gateway, Italy’s first national portal fully dedicated to biodiversity and coordinated by the National Research Council of Italy (CNR).

The Biodiversity Gateway seeks to build stronger relations between research institutions, local communities, schools, public administrations and businesses, fostering awareness and action around biodiversity conservation and environmental sustainability.

In this light, the Demo Center will act as a new public space where citizens can connect with scientific research on biodiversity through immersive and interactive installation, digital storytelling and participatory experiences: a new hub for science communication and public engagement. The aim is to make complex scientific knowledge more accessible, and the project is promoted by Italy’s National Research Council (CNR), together with Regione Puglia, the Polo Biblio-Museale di Lecce, the Province of Lecce, the University of Salento, and the DHITECH technological district.

LifeWatch ERIC is attending the event, that also features a showcase of some videos from the LifeWatching Web TV Science Channel, dedicated to biodiversity, ecosystems, scientific innovation and environmental challenge. The programme includes a round table at 12.40 CEST, focused on biodiversity as a value for businesses and local communities, that aims at exploring scenarios and potential pathways for development and innovation. Prof. Alberto Basset, Director of the LifeWatch ERIC Service Centre and Full Professor of Ecology at University of Salento, will join the panel together with representatives from CNR, NBFC, Confindustria Puglia, and ISPRA.

If you are in Lecce, stop by at the Teatrino of the former Convitto Palmieri, where the new Demo Center has been established. Enjoy a few videos from LifeWatch ERIC Web TV, and stop by LifeWatch Italy’s dedicated exhibition stand, featuring the Virtual Museum of Ecosystems and Natural Environments: an online, interactive, educational platform created by LifeWatch Italy together with CNR and the University of Salento that includes thematic environments such as mountain, Arctic, coastal wetland and semi-arid ecosystems, that can be virtually explored.