F4B – Fishing for Biodiversity: monitoring and conservation of inland waters with citizen support
Staff
11/12/2025
Project sheet
F4B aims to create a collaborative network composed of protected area management bodies, universities, environmental organizations, and citizens. The goal is to implement information, training, and outreach activities that help fully understand the value of biodiversity, encouraging active participation in the protection and sustainable management of the territory.
The study of fish fauna becomes a fundamental tool for assessing water quality: through standardized indices, fish provide reliable indications of the ecological status of water bodies.
Alongside this monitoring, an innovative approach based on genetic and genomic methodologies is employed, enabling more in-depth analyses useful for guiding targeted and effective management actions. Another innovative element is the Citizen Science approach, which involves volunteers, citizens, and the scientific community in a shared process of knowledge building and data collection. The goal is to train and engage as many people as possible in identification, research, and monitoring activities, turning biodiversity conservation into a collective and widespread commitment.
Keywords
Conservation
Monitoring
Project name
F4B – Fishing 4 Biodiversity – Biodiversity of Apennine and Po Basin water bodies: monitoring, characterization, and conservation through citizen involvementDuration
26 mesi
Location
Management Authority for the Parks and Biodiversity of Central Emilia
Responsible organisation
NBFC
Partners
Università Verde Reggio Emilia, Pro Natura Reggio Emilia, FIPSAS Provincial Committee of Reggio Emilia, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, University of Siena
Objectives.
|
The F4B project is structured around three main objectives, combining scientific research, active management, and citizen participation:
|
Stakeholders involved
|
The project is based on a network of highly qualified stakeholders deeply rooted in the territory. Among the scientific partners are the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and the University of Bologna – Alma Mater Studiorum, which provide academic expertise and advanced methodological support. Alongside the research sector, the project involves local fishing associations—direct stewards of watercourses—and the region’s nature conservation organizations, whose field experience and active role in protection are invaluable. This cross-sector collaboration makes it possible to combine scientific knowledge, local expertise, and civic participation, creating a solid foundation for safeguarding aquatic biodiversity. |
Main expected results
|
The project aims to achieve concrete results for the protection of Apennine and Po Basin water bodies. Monitoring fish species will make it possible to precisely identify the presence of non-native species and conduct genetic analyses on the monitored populations, providing essential data for future management. At the same time, the removal of Salmo trutta fario specimens will be successfully carried out, helping restore ecosystem balance and protect the most vulnerable amphibian species. At the conclusion of the activities, a final report will be produced as the outcome of the citizen science project, gathering data, experiences, and results. It will become a shared knowledge tool, easily usable for future conservation actions. |
Dissemination of results.
The dissemination and replicability of the results related to the containment of alien species represent one of the project’s strengths. If the management intervention planned for the removal of Salmo trutta fario proves effective, the method can be applied in other contexts as well, offering a useful strategy for protecting similar ecosystems threatened by introduced species.
