In September 2024, Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund team member, Stacey Breining, attended the 6th International Symposium on Anchialine Ecosystems (6ISAE) in beautiful Cagliari, Italy. Stacey was excited to be able to attend despite the distance from Hawaiʻi, and used this opportunity to help represent Hawaiʻi’s fragile anchialine ecosystems. HWF staff and volunteers have been fortunate to attend 3 of the 5 previous ISAE symposiums. These events are held every ~3 years and are attended by participants from around the globe. The last such event (5ISAE) was co-hosted by HWF in November 2022 in Kona, Hawaiʻi. Learn more about the previous event in this HWF blog.
Two attendees from Hawai’i joined international partners, like 6ISAE coordinator, Alejandro Martínez García of Italy (center), and included HWF’s own Stacey Breining (L) and Troy Sakihara (R), an Aquatic Biologist with Hawai’i DLNR/DAR. PC: HWF
Here’s more from the symposium in Stacey’s words:
As an Environmental Educator, it was a treat to explore both a historical European town and a new coastal ecosystem. Cagliari is the capital and largest city on the Island of Sardinia. Sardinia is famed in Europe for its breathtaking coastal beauty including terrestrial and underwater caves, unique ecosystems, captivating wildlife, and stunning beaches. Cagliari, located on the southern end of Sardinia, has been a hotspot for trade over the centuries. There is a very distinct old town area where all of the buildings are interconnected and the cobblestone streets barely fit one vehicle. A historian’s dream, the town even includes small sections of preserved old Roman roads. While the city offers a fascinating history, its location, sandwiched between two wetland/marshes offers unique and curious wildlife, like the pink flamingo. There are salt flats that support a healthy pink flamingo population. The 1,600-hectare (3,950-acre) park where the flamingos reside provides a large buffer of natural habitat for all wildlife species that utilize the area. Walking and biking are an easy way to get around the park as there is limited driving access. Many different water bird species can be seen when you go by foot.
Cagliari, Italy, the location of the 6ISAE in 2024, is world-renowned for it’s amazing food. PC: HWF
I found myself in deep observation analyzing both the similarities and differences between this new and novel (to me) place and the one I love deeply back home in Hawaiʻi. I can see why this was the location chosen for the 6th International Symposium on Anchialine Ecosystems. The city itself had a very reliable public bus system that worked well to get between the venue and the hotel. At first, riding the bus presented as a challenge due to both a lack of familiarity and a language barrier, but once I understood how it was going to work, the bus became a great place to observe the local culture and people watch. It was also a way for me to practice problem solving. Which bus would go where we needed to go? What time is it? How far of a walk is the bus stop? In Italian? What a learning experience. On the fly, figure it out. Speak up in English (fortunately) and get where you need to be with the help of the friendly community. The world only responds when you speak up for what you need…
The Island of Sardinia hosted extensive historical sites, including centuries-old dwellings, and cobblestone roadways. PC: HWF
The 2024 6ISAE symposium was hosted alongside the 26th International Conference on Subterranean Biology (26ICSB) as many of the same scientists typically present research at both meetings. This was the first time the 6ISAE was held with a combined conference schedule. It offered a broad range of new folks to meet and network with and provided fascinating information to process and bring home. It is always inspiring to learn what high-level folks are doing around the world. While most of the presentations focused on subterranean research, the anchialine community had a multiple presentations daily, including esteemed plenary talks and an engaging presentation by Hawaiʻi DLNR-DAR Biologist, Troy Sakihara. Troy’s presentation highlighted his invaluable leadership and contributions to the restoration and conservation of anchialine pools in Hawaiʻi.
DLNR-DAR Biologist Troy Sakihara, presented an overview of the ecology, biodiversity, status, and protection of anchialine pools on Hawai’i Island. PC: HWF
This round, HWF’s focus and goal was to continue to foster connections with anchialine colleagues made in previous years, and to garner inspiration to bring back to our team. It is an invaluable investment to stay connected with the latest research and learn more about what the international anchialine community is doing in their corner of the world. How can we take what other folks are learning and apply it to our very unique anchialine pool conservation in work in Hawaiʻi? What innovative student activities will be created from the inspiration of the greater scientific community? This year, it was pleasing to see and hear updates from collaborative projects that only materialized because of the connections made at previous symposiums many years prior. We are thrilled to be a part of this vital community.
Scientific presentations at the 6ISAE featured the incredible diversity of anchialine ecosystems around the globe. PC: HWF
Never been to a scientific conference/symposium before? Here is an example how a day might go: After breakfast, you make your way to the venue. In this case, it was a 10-minute walk to the bus stop, followed by a 15-minute bus ride to the local University. After a quick walk from the bus stop to the lecture stadium, you arrive and are welcomed with a gracious (and useful) welcome gift. This year you got a backpack, conference logo stickers, a pen, a rechargeable notebook with a pad of paper, and a conference t-shirt. You walk in further and find a seat in the large auditorium. There are two large screens on the front wall, as well as two medium screens for the stadium style back section. Presenters have a microphone, a presentation with slides, and for the most part are limited to a strict 15 minute time limit. (Moderators will politely cut you off if you go over time). Presentations go all day long from 9:30 am until 5:00 or 6:00 pm. To stay alert and engaged, you are provided with a coffee break before and after lunch. Lunch is bento style on the grass. A fun way to connect and meet new folks. Also, there just so happens to be a bar with both alcohol and coffee next to the auditorium… throughout the day, you see group after group of participants enjoying time together at the café. Collaboration in action, all around. A buzz is in the air. It’s palpable.
From my jet-lagged notes, here are the TOP 5 notable, attention-grabbing research updates that I took from the 6ISAE/26ICB conference (please take these with a grain of salt, there was a 12-hour time difference):
- In 2018, global plastic production hits 360 million tons per year, yet there is still no established data on microplastics in ground water (presented by Dr. Anne Robertson).
- There are 3 newly described carnivorous Hawaiian cave species (a beetle, an ant hopper, and a spider) with more to be “discovered”/ described officially in new scientific literature (presented by Dr. Christy Slay).
- The “Niphargus” (cave beetle or amphipod) is very well-studied (IMHO) in the subterranean science world. (How do I know? I listened to at least 8 talks on this species. Subsequently, I now know more about this bug than I care to admit.)
- Who knew biofilms/microbial mats could be so coooooooool and yet so gross at the same time?
- Despite what your worldview may be, there is still plenty of raw wildness out there that is worth adventuring for. There are lots of people inspired and working day in and day out to understand our world better so we can better protect it. Join us :)
In September 2024, Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund team member, Stacey Breining, attended the 6th International Symposium on Anchialine Ecosystems (6ISAE) in beautiful Cagliari, Italy. PC: HWF
