BIOVERSITY - BIOdiversity uniVERSITY

Project description

BIOVERSITY was launched in 2022 as a bioblitz and biodiversity data collection initiative based on the use of the iNaturalist platform. Over the years, the project has evolved from an activity mainly addressed to the student community of the University of Pisa into a broader public engagement initiative, integrating naturalistic observations, field activities, workshops, outreach events and digital citizen science tools.

Previous editions have contributed to the collection of data on plants, animals and other organisms in the areas involved. Through georeferenced observations uploaded to iNaturalist, BIOVERSITY has enabled the collection of thousands of records and the documentation of new species each year, contributing to shared knowledge of biodiversity also in urban and peri-urban environments.

BIOVERSITY2026 will take place from 16 to 23 May 2026 as a widespread bioblitz within the Biodiversity Week promoted by the University of Pisa. The initiative involves different territories and environments, ranging from urban and peri-urban contexts to natural areas, parks, reserves and Special Areas of Conservation, including municipalities in the provinces of Pisa, Lucca and Livorno.

To participate, people are invited to create an iNaturalist account, join the BIOVERSITY2026 project, observe organisms in the environments they explore, photograph them and upload their observations to the platform. The data collected remain available to the community and may be reviewed with the support of experts from the collaborating institutions.

Alongside the free collection of observations, BIOVERSITY2026 includes coordinated activities such as guided excursions, workshops, seminars and educational sessions in woodlands, wetlands, hills, green spaces, protected areas and museum settings. Some activities are open to the general public, while others are specifically addressed to the student community of the University of Pisa.

Activities dedicated to the observation of small organisms and microorganisms are also planned, such as “Open Microscopes”, together with initiatives at the Natural History Museum of the University of Pisa. These activities help broaden the perception of biodiversity, showing that it also includes small organisms and often overlooked forms of life.

Compared with previous editions, BIOVERSITY2026 expands its temporal, territorial and participatory scope: the bioblitz lasts eight days and is addressed not only to students, but also to citizens, volunteers, families and nature enthusiasts. It also includes a component focused on the analysis of student participation, relating engagement in the activities to degree programme, educational curriculum and continued interaction with iNaturalist over time.

Objectives

The main aims of BIOVERSITY are to promote knowledge of local biodiversity, encourage the active participation of students, citizens and volunteers, and contribute to the collection of naturalistic data through the iNaturalist platform.

The project aims to introduce participants to the observation, documentation and sharing of biodiversity data, highlighting the importance of photographs, georeferencing and collaborative species identification. Through field activities, workshops and special prize categories, BIOVERSITY also encourages participants to observe biodiversity from different perspectives, including large and small organisms, microorganisms, different taxonomic groups and interactions between species.

A further aim is to analyse student participation by relating engagement in events and the bioblitz to degree programmes, educational curricula and continued use of iNaturalist over time. In this way, BIOVERSITY combines biodiversity data collection, science education, citizen science and public engagement.

How to participate

To take part, all you need is a smartphone or camera, an iNaturalist account, and to join the BIOVERSITY2026 project. Check the webpage for all the details: https://www.unipi.it/ateneo/chi-siamo/sviluppo-sostenibile-e-agenda-2030/verde-e-biodiversita/bioversity-2026/

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