New ENGAGE experiment launches in Bacoli

News   •   March 2025

Photos by Fabio, Gabriele and Ulisse

The Posidonia oceanica meadow at the experimental site, swaying gently under the wave action

The ENGAGE project has kicked off a new in situ experiment in the waters of Bacoli (NA), marking a crucial step in research on Posidonia oceanica resilience. After mesocosm experiments, scientists are now moving into the field to study species interactions in response to environmental stressors.

This experiment, conducted off the Campanian coast, investigates how Posidonia oceanica interacts with the sponge Chondrilla nucula, a high-microbial-abundance (HMA) species, under nutrient enrichment conditions. Slow-release fertilizers simulate one of the most widespread coastal environmental pressures, often linked to human activities.

An overhead view of the experimental site, showing patches of Posidonia oceanica beneath the water surface, with the rocky coastline surrounding the area.
A coastal scene with clear, shallow waters revealing a rocky seabed and patches of Posidonia oceanica seagrass. A green hillside with Mediterranean vegetation slopes to the shoreline.

Snapshots of the sampling site along the coastline of Bacoli, showing patches of Posidonia oceanica seagrass beneath the water surface, with the surrounding rocky shore environment

Posidonia oceanica meadows play a key role in marine biodiversity, CO₂ sequestration, and sediment stabilization. However, their decline is accelerated by stressors such as eutrophication, which disrupts ecological balance and promotes opportunistic species.

The ENGAGE team aims to determine whether Chondrilla nucula can help mitigate nutrient enrichment effects, enhancing Posidonia oceanica resilience. The experiment monitors key indicators of meadow health, including plant growth and transcriptome, sponge metabolome and microbial dynamics.

Funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (PRIN 2022), ENGAGE continues to explore how species interactions can enhance coastal ecosystem resilience. Coordinated by Dr. Ulisse Cardini and a team from the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, the project also involves teams from the University of Pisa and the University of Cagliari.

Three people sitting on a sandy beach near the water, smiling and engaged in preparing materials for a field activity. The background features calm blue water and a distant shoreline with trees under a clear sky.

Sitting on a sandy beach near the water, smiling and engaged in preparing materials for a field activity.

Four people, dressed in diving gear, prepare to enter the water on a rocky shore, with a white building and a small pier in the background.

Dressed in diving gear, the team prepares to enter the water

A person sitting on a rock at the beach, filtering water samples for nutrient analysis, with the shoreline and water in the background.

Sitting on a rock at the beach, filtering water samples for nutrient analysis

A group of six people on a sandy beach, surrounded by backpacks and diving gear. Some are dressed in wetsuits. The person in the foreground takes a selfie with the group.

A group selfie of the team after the dive, surrounded by material and diving gear

The results could offer new insights for managing and conserving Posidonia oceanica meadows, providing nature-based solutions to environmental challenges in coastal areas. Stay tuned for updates on the next phases of the experiment!

A person in a diving suit surfaces, signaling "OK" with their hand, surrounded by clear, transparent Mediterranean waters on a sunny day.

A team member in a diving suit surfaces, signaling “OK” with their hand, surrounded by clear, transparent Mediterranean waters on a sunny day