Start: 2023-01-01

End: 2026-12-31

Primary biological aerosols (bioaerosols: mainly pollen and fungal spores, but also bacteria and viruses) released into the air by plants, fungi, and other biota, are strongly impacted by climate change. Simultaneously, they also directly affect the climate through interactions with clouds and precipitation. Many bioaerosols, especially pollen and some fungal spores, have allergenic effect on humans. Such aeroallergens affect over 80 million Europeans, reducing their quality of life and costing well over €50 billion/year. Information on bioaerosols is also vital for agriculture and forestry, where timely data about plant development, abundance of pathogens and parasites, as well as invasive species, are necessary for precision-agriculture and knowledge-based technologies. The demand for timely, free, and objective information is currently not met.

The overall goal of SYLVA is 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
• Maximise 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.

Vilnius University SYLVA project team (led by Prof. Dr. I. Šaulienė) consists of researchers from Šiauliai Academy and CHGF Institute of Geosciences. Vilnius University supervises the key activities of the project: the formulation of new monitoring standards and the analysis of the project's impact. Vilnius University also plays an important role in implementing other work packages of SYLVA: improving bioaerosol monitoring methods by developing devices and new research methodology (use of eDNA), performing data integration with information provided by satellite observations and digital models. Vilnius University team will prepare educational materials and training aimed at introducing the innovations created during the project to researchers and end users in the field.