Case study
Revolutionising marine ecosystem restoration through the mapping of seagrass
Italy
Client
The Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research
Project Duration
March 2024 – June 2026
We are mapping the coastal habitats of the entire Italian coast as part of the Italian government’s Marine Ecosystem Restoration (MER) project, a groundbreaking initiative under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA) selected Fugro, in partnership with Compagnia Generale Ripreseaeree (CGR), to leverage cutting-edge technology and extensive experience in coastal resilience solutions to deliver the crucial mapping component of the MER project, which is set to revolutionise marine conservation and environmental restoration efforts in Italy.
The MER project is a visionary initiative aimed at restoring Italy's marine habitats, fortifying the national system for observing marine and coastal ecosystems, and comprehensively mapping coastal and marine habitats across Italian waters. This project focuses on the critical seagrass meadows of Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa. These meadows provide a habitat for marine life, protect coastlines from erosion, and play a significant role in carbon storage, helping to mitigate climate change. Restoring these habitats is essential for developing climate resilience and supporting biodiversity.
An innovative approach
Fugro, in collaboration with CGR and other partners, is employing a suite of advanced technologies to achieve the project's ambitious goals. These include airborne lidar, satellite sensors, vessel-based multibeam technology, uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), electric remotely operated vehicles (eROVs), autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), and the VirGeo® data engagement and management platform. This combination of technologies ensures comprehensive and precise mapping of Italy's coastal and marine environments.
Collaborative efforts
The success of the MER project is driven by the collaborative efforts of a diverse consortium, including government agencies, private sector entities, non-profit organisations, and academia. Key partners include EOMAP - a Fugro company, PlanBlue, and Atlas Maridan. This collaboration ensures a holistic approach to marine conservation, leveraging the strengths and expertise of each partner.
Link to broader environmental goals
The MER project aligns with broader environmental and climate goals, including those set by the United Nations. It contributes to the protection of marine biodiversity, supports sustainable development, and enhances climate resilience. By restoring seagrass meadows, the project helps ensure the health of marine ecosystems for future generations.
Organisational commitment
Fugro’s involvement in the MER project demonstrates its commitment to environmental stewardship and climate resilience. The project is part of a larger effort to protect and restore natural ecosystems, showcasing Fugro’s dedication to sustainable practices and innovative solutions.
Key project metrics
km² to be surveyed using airborne lidar and imagery, airborne gravimetry and satellite sensors
km² to be surveyed using vessel-based multibeam technology
km² to be surveyed using state-of-the-art underwater drones
VirGeo®
We are facilitating the delivery of data to The Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA) by utilising VirGeo®, our cloud-based information delivery, engagement and management platform that provides a single source for accessing and organising various streams of integrated, real-time Geo-data. The platform allows ISPRA to easily access and interpret the data through a single sign-on that required no experience with geographic information systems or specialised software.
VirGeo®
VirGeo® is our cloud-based information, delivery, engagement and management platform that provides you with a single source for accessing and organising various streams of data and documents throughout the asset life cycle.
“We are delighted to announce the award of this project to a consortium led by Fugro and its partner, CGR. This contract signifies a significant milestone in our environmental efforts within the PNRR Marine Ecosystem Restoration project and specifically aligns with Mission 2: Green Revolution and Ecological Transition and the objectives to protect the territory and water resources and restore and protect the seabed and marine environments. The project is administered by the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security, with funding from the European Union's Next Generation EU programme.”
Giordano Giorgi & Sante Francesco Rende
Project Director & Technical Director at ISPRA
The story so far
The MER seagrass mapping project kicked off with inaugural meetings on June 26 and 27, 2024, hosted by the Istituto Idrografico della Marina (IIM) in Genoa. This project, awarded to the consortium of Fugro and CGR, aims to map seagrass meadows across Italian waters using advanced geospatial technologies. The meeting set a collaborative tone, bringing together representatives from various prestigious institutions to discuss methodologies and work packages.
In mid-June 2024, Fugro, PlanBlue, and Atlas Maridan achieved a significant technological milestone by integrating PlanBlue’s hyperspectral camera into Fugro’s autonomous underwater vehicle, the Seacat. This integration, tested successfully in the Baltic Sea, allows for detailed seabed data collection and processing, providing crucial information about seagrass meadows along Italy's coastline.
On May 29, 2024, CGR launched Italy’s largest airborne topographic survey in decades, covering approximately 30,000 linear kilometres of coastline. This monumental campaign, involving lidar and photographic data capture, aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of Italy’s coastal topography. The data collected will support habitat classification and environmental management, with the survey progressing from Liguria to northern Sicily and the Aeolian archipelago.
Complementing ongoing airborne operations, the Fugro Arctic embarked on it's mission to map Posidonia meadows along the Italian coast. Equipped with a Kongsberg EM2040 DH Multibeam Echosounder, the vessel conducted initial tests during its transit from Malta to Livorno. Currently operating near Livorno, the Fugro Arctic plans to continue its survey northwards, contributing valuable data for marine conservation.
By the end of November 2024, AUV operations officially began, marking another milestone in the seagrass mapping initiative. Following successful trials in Denmark and Italy, the Fugro Seacat, equipped with PlanBlue’s hyperspectral cameras, demonstrated enhanced efficiency and accuracy. Conducted from the Fugro Mercator, these operations started from Civitavecchia and are moving towards Ventimiglia and La Spezia, highlighting the project's continuous improvements and collaborative efforts in environmental data collection.
In January 2025, the MER project commenced airborne lidar bathymetry operations for seagrass mapping along Italy's coastline. This advanced method, utilising Fugro's rapid airborne multibeam mapping system (RAMMS 2.0), offers efficient underwater mapping despite water clarity challenges. The team mobilised in Parma, conducted calibration flights, and set up a temporary field office in Reggio Calabria. Data collection began in Sicily, Calabria, and the Aeolian Islands, with plans to continue along the coast until the end of 2025.
In March 2025, a key meeting for the MER seagrass mapping project was held, involving representatives from Fugro, ISPRA, Istituto Idrografico della Marina (IMM) and Consiglio Nazionale Ricerche (CNR). The meeting reviewed past activities and set future strategies, focusing on field operations, data processing, sensor calibration, and GNSS post-processing. Discussions highlighted the depth performance of the RAMMS lidar sensor and the progress of survey lines. Participants expressed satisfaction with the project's progress, attributing its success to meticulous planning and data verification.
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Our work in the natural environment
Through Geo-data, Fugro contributes to mapping the baseline, modelling risks, monitoring changes, and planning for nature conservation and restoration.