Engaging citizens to monitor urban aquatic ecosystems: the OneAquaHealth case

This Conference Paper was presented on the 35th International Geographical Congress 2024, in Dublin, Ireland. OneAquaHealth is a Horizon Europe project committed to enhance sustainability of the urban stream ecosystems. Aligned with the One Health approach, it recognizes the interconnectedness of people, animals, plants, and the environment. Therefore, through a comprehensive Environmental Surveillance System, it will assess urbanization impacts, detect disease risks, predict management strategy effects, and support decision-makers. The project places a significant emphasis on citizen participation and, one of the assumptions, is that empowering citizens to understand the connection between environmental health and human health will foster active engagement in addressing ecosystem deterioration in their local surroundings.