SYLVA – A SYstem for reaL-time obserVation of Aeroallergens

Project goal: To achieve a radical improvement and fill gaps in temporal resolution, timeliness, coverage, and availability of information about aeroallergens and other bioaerosols. SYLVA technological innovations will be accompanied with new infrastructure, distribution and exploitation pathways, and links with stakeholders to ensure technology uptake and sustainability beyond the lifetime of the project.

To achieve this goal, the project will:

• Develop cutting-edge bioaerosol monitoring technologies,
• Create bioaerosol monitoring ICT infrastructure and software following open-source principles and connect it to European environmental observing systems,
• Validate the operational maturity and added-value of bioaerosol monitoring technology through Demonstration Pilots in three European regions,
• Maximize impact by demonstrating SYLVA innovations to key stakeholders related to climate, health, agriculture, silviculture, and the environment,
• Ensure the long-term sustainability of bioaerosol technology and infrastructure across Europe.

About the project: Biological aerosols are released from terrestrial and marine ecosystems and have an important impact on agriculture and forestry. At the same time, some bioaerosols such as pollen or fungal spores cause allergies to millions of individuals worldwide. Therefore, there is a need to monitor bioaerosols and generate freely available and timely information regarding their localization and impact. To address this, the EU-funded SYLVA project proposes to develop bioaerosol monitoring technologies and infrastructure across Europe. These will take into consideration environment- and climate-related bioaerosol changes and will be broadly applicable in agriculture and health.

BioSense role on the project: Advancing automatic measurements and airborne eDNA sampling and analysis in the Southern Pilot (Pannonian plain).