2025 SponBIODIV Sampling Campaigns in the Ionian and Aegean Seas

Following two successful sampling campaigns in the Ionian and Aegean Seas using a catamaran sailboat, the Greek partners of the SponBIODIV project — the Ionian University and the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research — are continuing their extensive field activities throughout 2025. Sampling campaigns target a variety of sponge-dominated habitats, both natural (e.g. marine caves and rocky reefs) and artificial (e.g. ports and marinas), within and outside designated Marine Protected Areas.

A variety of mainly SCUBA-based sampling protocols are being applied, including photoquadrats and visual surveys for biodiversity assessment, collection of biological samples for taxonomy and genomic analyses, and the use of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for site inspection, alongside environmental data collection using portable instruments.

To support both field sampling and subsequent sample processing and laboratory analysis, the project has acquired specialized equipment, including SCUBA diving gear, underwater cameras, computer systems for imaging analysis, an ROV, portable meters, and laboratory equipment (e.g. centrifuge, hotplate, analytical balance, pipettes, and freezers).

The SponBIODIV project is funded by Biodiversa+, the European Biodiversity Partnership, under the 2021–2022 BiodivProtect joint call for research proposals and is co-funded by the European Commission (Grant Agreement No. 101052342) and the General Secretariat for Research and Innovation (GSRI – ΓΓΒΙΟ-0559429) under the Hellenic Ministry of Development.