This past Saturday, May 21, the theoretical session of the Campus Natura program was held, organized by La Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera, in the Cala de Sant Francesc in Blanes with the help of researchers from the Center for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB).
During the session we delved into the practical study of plants and marine animals biodiversity of the Cala de Sant Francesc and met the main benthic coastal communities in situ, analyzing their characteristics and the ecological status of the area sampled.
What are invasive species? How do they get to the Mediterranean? What is citizen science?
These are some of the questions that Maria Garcia and Marc Rius, the two CEAB researchers who participated in the activity, helped answer. During the first activity, students learned how to make transects that allow them to quantify biodiversity and assess the conservation status of different communities.
There has been talk of the Sea Watchers citizen science project, how research and the scientific method work in a research project, and finally, we have discovered more features about invasive species. Young people were able to understand the importance of conserving marine biodiversity.
What is the Campus Natura?
It is a program organized by the Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera that stimulates the talent and promotes the scientific vocations of 30 young students in the 1st and 2nd year of high school with a special interest in research in the field of biodiversity conservation and nature. It is an opportunity for students to get in touch with fieldwork and learn more about the different techniques for the study and conservation of terrestrial and marine fauna and flora by experts in this field.
The program consists of 8 theoretical and practical sessions on Saturday or weekend, which take place during the school year between February and May 2021. Most of the sessions take place in the natural spaces of the Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera: La Pedrera (Casa Milà), Muntanya d’Alinyà, MónNatura Pirineus, MónNatura Delta, Montserrat-Coll de Can Maçana and Món Sant Benet. These sessions address issues related to biodiversity and the conservation of the environment and nature.
