THE PROJECT
From Fragile Habitat to Sustainable Future.
Multidisciplinary approaches to protect and understand endemic Phoenix spp. ecosystems.
Project information.
| Title | From Fragile Habitat to Sustainable Future: Multidisciplinary Approaches to Protect and Understand Endemic Phoenix spp. Ecosystems |
| Acronym | PHOENIX |
| Project ID | 101299299 |
| Call | HORIZON-MSCA-2025-SE |
| Type of Action | Marie Skłodowska-Curie – Staff Exchanges |
| Duration | 48 months |
| Total secondments | 182 person months |
| Official Start | 01/07/2026 |
| Total Budget | €911,820.00 |
| EU funding | €911,820.00 |
INTRODUCTION
Endemic species hold exceptional ecological, cultural, and scientific value as they exist nowhere else in the world, making them irreplaceable components of biodiversity. Their survival is tightly linked to the health of their native ecosystems, where they often play unique roles in maintaining ecological balance and resilience.
Protecting endemic species not only safeguards genetic diversity but also preserves cultural heritage, local identity, and the distinct natural landscapes they shape. In the face of climate change and human pressures, conserving these species is critical to sustaining ecosystem services and ensuring that future generations inherit living examples of evolutionary uniqueness.
The native Phoenix palm species in Europe—Phoenix theophrasti (Cretan Date Palm) and Phoenix canariensis (Canary Island Date Palm)—are cornerstone components of Mediterranean and Atlantic ecosystems. Found spanning natural groves, agricultural landscapes, and urban environments, these palms are vital to regional biodiversity, ecological balance, and local cultural heritage.
This project brings together cutting-edge research, advanced technology, and community-driven conservation to safeguard these iconic species against environmental pressures and human-induced threats.
The core idea of PHOENIX is to exchange and enhance knowledge between experts in different Phoenix species, different site’ conditions and therefore different needs and assets. By safeguarding genetic diversity, restoring natural habitats, and addressing emerging challenges like invasive species and the loss of traditional knowledge, we can ensure the long-term survival and sustainability of these iconic species.
OBJECTIVES
The core idea of PHOENIX is to trigger knowledge exchange between experts in endemic Phoenix spp. in order to provide the critical background needed to understand the species local vulnerabilities and protect and conserve its habitats and genetic integrity by proposing effective protection and conservation strategies.
OBJECTIVE 01
Advance scientific understanding of the behavioral regime of the Mediterranean and Atlantic Phoenix endemic species. Analyze their habitats diversity (phenological and genetic) focusing on wild populations.
OBJECTIVE 03
Implement an integrated, data-driven PHOENIX Observatory (Geo-server & android app) for the effective monitoring, conservation, and sustainable management of native Phoenix habitats across their Mediterranean and Atlantic ranges.
OBJECTIVE 05
Integrate Conservation with Socio-Economic and Cultural Practices. Link Phoenix spp. conservation with sustainable landscaping, ecosystem service quantification, traditional usage documentation, and exploration of innovative product opportunities derived from Phoenix resources.
OBJECTIVE 07
Promote Knowledge Transfer and Capacity Building via Massive Open Online Course, by developing an asynchronous MOOC using aggregated project knowledge, including ecological findings, allometric methodologies, feasibility outputs and multiplatform applications, to foster global learning and dissemination.
OBJECTIVE 02
Develop allometric equations to provide precise estimations of tree biometrics.
OBJECTIVE 04
Promote methods and solutions and develop reinforcement protocols to conserve the landscape, emphasizing to the added value of Phoenix spp. and focusing on their unique attributes and ecosystem services that provide, in order to contribute to sustainable and exotic landscape solutions.
OBJECTIVE 06
Demonstrate Technical and Financial Feasibility of Conservation Approaches by assessing feasibility of conservation-linked economic activities.
OBJECTIVE 08
Maximize Outreach, Dissemination, and Project Impact. Deliver scientific publications, workshops, and events while promoting PHOENIX Observatory as a collaborative platform for stakeholders, but also for citizen scientists (android app), ensuring broad accessibility, awareness, and application of project results for long-term conservation impact.
EXPECTED IMPACT
During and after the project’s completion, it will continue to serve as an advisory body across Europe, Africa and even Asia, fostering collaboration among administrative bodies, research centers, various associations, the private sector, and stakeholders.
The project’s website will act as a repository of all the project outputs and will be kept at least five years after the end of the project. Public and private research organizations, along with stakeholders interested in adopting innovative landscape monitoring methodologies, will be key target groups benefiting directly from PHOENIX results.
The research conducted in integrating various techniques and disciplines—such as geoinformatics, Phoenix ecology, biometrics, cultivation and management will lay the foundation for new knowledge and capacity-building for senior researchers.
The training material that will be produced during MOOC, combined with the interdisciplinary exchange between researchers from diverse fields will equip the scientific community with highly qualified professionals capable of guiding future research in new directions.