The SeaInsights project has prepared a new educational infographic poster on environmental DNA (eDNA), designed to help the public and especially young people to better understand how modern genetic tools can reveal the hidden life of the sea.
The poster, prepared by DivjaLabs with the support of project partners, presents eDNA in a clear and visual way: what environmental DNA is, how seawater sampling and DNA metabarcoding work, and why this approach is useful for monitoring marine biodiversity. The material explains that marine organisms leave traces of genetic material in seawater and that, by filtering water and analysing this DNA, scientists can detect many species and taxa from a single environmental sample.
The infographic was produced in three language versions: English, Italian and Slovenian. The Italian and Slovenian versions were also printed and will be used for educational and outreach activities, including communication with schools and local communities in the project area.
The poster also highlights the results of the first systematic eDNA study in the Northern Adriatic. SeaInsights detected 105 unique taxa, including 87 fish taxa, 17 decapod taxa and one marine mammal taxon. Commercially important species such as anchovy, sardine, and sea bream were among the most frequently detected. The study also detected the invasive blue crab. In addition, bottlenose dolphin DNA was found in seawater samples, showing that eDNA can complement visual surveys for protected marine species such as dolphins.
By presenting these findings in an accessible format, the poster supports one of the key aims of SeaInsights: to strengthen awareness of marine biodiversity and encourage responsible attitudes towards the Northern Adriatic. The project combines scientific research, biodiversity monitoring, and public engagement to improve the protection and management of the Northern Adriatic, a transboundary marine ecosystem facing pressures such as climate change, pollution and overexploitation.
The infographic also invites citizens to contribute by taking part in citizen science activities, and advocating for biodiversity conservation. In this way, SeaInsights brings advanced science closer to everyday life and helps the public understand that protecting the sea begins with knowing what lives beneath its surface.
Download poster in English language
