| Title | Travelling through Italian ecosystems and biodiversity in order to broaden citizens' participation to ecological research |
| Abstract | In 2015 and 2016, a community of Italian scientists active in long-term ecological research (LTER-Italy) and in biodiversity studies (LifeWatch-Italy) organized 4 itineraries over the Italian territory to increase the public interest towards the environment and foster contributions of citizens to the scientific research. The trails connected relevant sites of LTER-Italy network and offered opportunities to citizens to familiarize with environmental problems and become aware of the characteristics and state of some Italian ecosystems, with emphasis on aquatic habitats (marine, transitional and continental waters) and their connections with land. The initiative aimed to enhance interactions between researchers and citizens through walking and cycling together at slow rhythms, thus favouring a closer approach with nature. Moreover, local citizens encountered along the trails were involved in public debates and in field research activities. The trails were also an opportunity for scientists to understand the need to adopt a different cultural approach for more effective interactions with citizens. Communicating science is an important step for researchers to make their activity visible. In the case of ecological research, not only the results but also the issues have to be shared with people in order to find adequate solutions. To do this, scientists have to recognize and stimulate the contribution of all players, with different roles and expertise, to address the environmental challenges and define more sustainable uses of resources. The Authors will present qualitative evaluations and critical considerations of this experience and will discuss about future perspectives. |
| Source | ASLO 2017 Aquatic Sciences Meeting - Mountains to the Sea, Honolulu, Hawai`i, Feb 26 - Mar 3, 2017 |
| Keywords | long term ecological researchecologyscience communication |
| Year | 2017 |
| Type | Poster |
| Authors | L'Astorina, A., Pugnetti, A., Giardino, C., Bresciani, M., D'Alelio, D., Oggioni, A., Mazzocchi, M. G., Rogora, M., Bergami, C., Matteucci, G. |
| Text | 381326 2017 long term ecological research ecology science communication Travelling through Italian ecosystems and biodiversity in order to broaden citizens participation to ecological research L Astorina, A., Pugnetti, A., Giardino, C., Bresciani, M., D Alelio, D., Oggioni, A., Mazzocchi, M. G., Rogora, M., Bergami, C., Matteucci, G. CNR IREA, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, CNR ISE, CNR ISMAR CNR IBAF, CNR ISAFOM In 2015 and 2016, a community of Italian scientists active in long term ecological research LTER Italy and in biodiversity studies LifeWatch Italy organized 4 itineraries over the Italian territory to increase the public interest towards the environment and foster contributions of citizens to the scientific research. The trails connected relevant sites of LTER Italy network and offered opportunities to citizens to familiarize with environmental problems and become aware of the characteristics and state of some Italian ecosystems, with emphasis on aquatic habitats marine, transitional and continental waters and their connections with land. The initiative aimed to enhance interactions between researchers and citizens through walking and cycling together at slow rhythms, thus favouring a closer approach with nature. Moreover, local citizens encountered along the trails were involved in public debates and in field research activities. The trails were also an opportunity for scientists to understand the need to adopt a different cultural approach for more effective interactions with citizens. Communicating science is an important step for researchers to make their activity visible. In the case of ecological research, not only the results but also the issues have to be shared with people in order to find adequate solutions. To do this, scientists have to recognize and stimulate the contribution of all players, with different roles and expertise, to address the environmental challenges and define more sustainable uses of resources. The Authors will present qualitative evaluations and critical considerations of this experience and will discuss about future perspectives. Published version ASLO 2017 Aquatic Sciences Meeting Mountains to the Sea Honolulu, Hawai`i Feb 26 Mar 3, 2017 Internazionale Contributo Poster claudia.giardino GIARDINO CLAUDIA michela.rogora ROGORA MICHELA giorgio.matteucci MATTEUCCI GIORGIO alessandro.oggioni OGGIONI ALESSANDRO alba.lastorina L ASTORINA ALBA mariano.bresciani BRESCIANI MARIANO caterina.bergami BERGAMI CATERINA alessandra.pugnetti PUGNETTI ALESSANDRA |
