Biodiversity, Beneath the Surface
A conversation on oceans, ecosystems, and why this matters now
On May 5th at 16:00 CET, we invite you to join an online conversation that looks at biodiversity not as an abstract concept, but as something alive, fragile, and deeply connected to our actions.
This webinar opens Healthy Seas’ Biodiversity Month. A series of stories, insights, and field-based perspectives we will share throughout May. From underwater ecosystems to scientific research and business responsibility, we want to explore biodiversity from different angles and make it tangible.
Because biodiversity is often spoken about in broad terms but it is experienced in very specific places:
- In shipwrecks slowly becoming marine habitats.
- In seagrass meadows struggling under pressure.
- In abandoned structures left behind in the sea.
- And in the choices we make — as individuals, organizations, and industries.
Why join this webinar
This session brings together storytelling, science, and real-world experience to explore biodiversity through different lenses:
- A grounded introduction to what biodiversity means today — beyond definitions
- Field insights from Healthy Seas projects, from shipwrecks to abandoned fish farms
- A closer look at Posidonia oceanica, one of the Mediterranean’s most important ecosystems
- A final reflection on the role of businesses, and how expectations around biodiversity are evolving
Rather than offering simple answers, this webinar aims to connect perspectives — and open questions worth exploring further.
Meet the speakers
Valeria Barbi, Environmental journalist, naturalist and biodiversity conservation expert
Valeria will open the conversation with a perspective shaped by years of travel and research across ecosystems worldwide. Through stories and observations, she will bring biodiversity back to something visible and real.
Isadora Abuter, Marine Research Coordinator, Healthy Seas
Isadora will introduce how Healthy Seas’ work has evolved from marine litter removal to a deeper focus on biodiversity — including research on shipwreck ecosystems and their role in marine life.
Ramona Reichert, Marine Research Coordinator, Healthy Seas
This segment will focus on abandoned aquaculture structures (ghost farms) — an often overlooked issue with significant impacts on marine ecosystems.
Dimitris Poursanidis, Ph.D.. Marine biologist
Dimitris will explore the ecological importance of Posidonia oceanica, a key Mediterranean species, and how marine litter and abandoned structures affect its survival and recovery.
Elena Cicoria, Sustainability Consultant, Diligea
Elena will provide an overview of how biodiversity is being integrated into corporate commitments and reporting frameworks. She will also discuss how the concept of natural capital can support companies in better understanding and addressing biodiversity within their activities.
Part of a broader journey
This webinar marks the beginning of Healthy Seas’ Biodiversity Month. Throughout May, we will continue sharing:
- insights from the field
- scientific perspectives
- stories from underwater ecosystems
- and reflections on how biodiversity connects to our daily lives and decisions
This page will be updated with additional resources as the month unfolds.
Join us
📅 Date: May 5th
🕓 Time: 16:00 CET
💻 Format: Online webinar (live + Q&A)
🎥 The session will be recorded and available afterwards
👉 Registration is required to attend
Meet the speakers
