Duration: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Description: Explore the general biology of the Mediterranean and peculiarities of the Amalfi Coast through a multimedia presentation introduction followed by a snorkeling excursion. 

We put on a mask and snorkel, learn about proper behavior in the water, and go for our first experience.

After the lunch break there will be an afternoon session with a second snorkeling exploration in the water. During this trip, students will be involved in collecting animals and/or plants to be analyzed and identified at the lab soon after. 

A final presentation will help them understand what type of organisms are there in the Mediterranean shallow waters, with a focus on their anatomy and classification.

Who's who?

During this lab activity, UNIMARE staff will present the different types of animals and algae collected during the afternoon snorkeling trip. The use of a camera with a special macro lens will help for the identification of specific anatomical features of the different organisms in a way that is not harmful. This activity will be done in a very interactive way in order to involve students in the presentation of the organisms and allow for them to have a direct experience with marine life.

Algae and Growth: The Phytol of the Rock Littoral

Algae are optimally adapted to life under the water and have developed various strategies to survive in extremely intense or poor lighting conditions. Specimens that are collected during the snorkeling excursion are studied in the lab to understand more about the growth of the algae and other microorganisms that live in algae forests with a special focus on identification and taxonomy through their colors and forms with help from an identification guide.

Sea Knight - Crabs in the Boulders

Depending on their size and mass, stones lying on the seabed are turned over at different rates and moved by water pressure. They therefore form an excellent basis for researching colonization succession, allowing sessile organisms that grow at different speeds to be optimally examined. Organisms that can find protection in the rock itself thanks to a variety of methods are also examined, with a focus on the various families and genera of Crustacea (crustaceans), which populate the Blockfeld habitat in large numbers.

Blenny

One lesser studied species of particular interest is Blennies, a type of fish that inhabit the rocky shoreline. Blennies are small, typically only 2-7 cm in length, and are characterized by their snout-like noses and perching behavior on rocks or in rocky holes. Blennies are excellent markers for general ocean health because of their sensitivity to contaminants. Healthy populations of Blennies are also indicative of high biodiversity of other species as well. Students will often see and capture blennies as part of the afternoon snorkeling session.