REVIVE

The REVIVE Research Project aims to define effective intervention measures in the Italian-Maltese cross-border area to conserve biodiversity and restore priority habitats, including in Natura 2000 sites.

The project includes: assessing the status of key habitats (vermet reefs, seagrass beds), focusing on the role of invasive alien species (IAS) and marine debris; passive and active restoration interventions based on the use of substrates or artificial structures that can promote habitat recovery; and monitoring the effectiveness of these interventions.

This monitoring will be conducted by integrating traditional methodologies (such as visual census and scratching) with recently applied innovative methods, such as eDNA metabarcoding. Furthermore, the role of floating marine debris in transporting IAS to the study areas will be assessed.

REVIVE will raise cross-border awareness of the common challenges in Italian and Maltese coastal areas and common threats to transboundary biodiversity by creating a circular approach to knowledge transfer and awareness-raising based on the "science-stakeholder-policy interface loop," which will contribute to improving social receptiveness and decision-making, particularly regarding emerging scientific developments.

The activities and outputs achieved in the project are consistent with the objectives of the Nature Restoration Law (EU Regulation 2024/1991) and are in synergy with the principles of cross-border cooperation, sustainable development and the ecosystem approach for maintaining good environmental status (GES) provided for by the Marine Strategy Directive (MSFD 2008/56/EC).

Approved for funding under the Interreg VI-A Italy-Malta 2021-2027 Programme
Start date: May 2, 2025, duration: 30 months
Lead partner: CNR-IAS
Partnership: ISPRA, University of Malta, University of Palermo, and Ambjent Malta.

Useful link:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• X (Twitter)