March 31st-April 4th, 2025, Puerto Madryn and Puerto Pirámides, Chubut, Argentina

Workshop lead:

• Dr. Enrique Montes (U. Miami CIMAS / NOAA AOML)

• Dr. Gregorio Bigatti (IBIOMAR-CONICET)

• Dr. Gonzalo Bravo (IBIOMAR-CONICET).

Workshop supporters, moderators and facilitators:

• Dra. Mariana Lozada (IBIOMAR-CONICET)

• Dr. Luke R. Thompson (Mississippi State University NGI / NOAA AOML)

• Dr. Juan Pablo Livore (IBIOMAR-CONICET)

• Dra. María (Pitu) Mendez (IBIOMAR-CONICET)

• Dra. Lorena P. Arribas (IBIOMAR-CONICET)

• Tyler Christian (U. Miami CIMAS / NOAA AOML)

• Dr. Erasmo Macaya H. (Universidad de Concepción / Centro IDEAL)

• Dr. Mariana Degrati (CESIMAR-CONICET)

• Lic. Camila Tavano (CESIMAR-CONICET)

• Lino Bigatti (Computer Science student, Universidad de Buenos Aires)

• Dra. Gabriela Vélez-Rubio (Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República)

• Juan Zottola (Administración de Parques Nacionales, APN)

• Pablo Sugliano (Administración de Parques Nacionales, APN)

• Agostina Trigo (Administración de Parques Nacionales, APN)

A total of 30 individuals participated in the workshop in Puerto Madryn and Puerto Pirámides, Patagonia, Argentina (Fig. 1). All participants contributed to the development of this work and are listed as co-authors. The group included representatives from universities, research centers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and institutions from both national and provincial parks. The complete list of participants, including their country of origin and institutional affiliation, is available in the supplementary material.

Figure 1.  

a: Coastal landscapes and some of the intertidal species observed during fieldwork in Península Valdés, Argentina. From left to right: Dictyota dichotoma (brown algae), Spheniscus magellanicus (Magellanic penguin), Otaria flavescens (South American sea lion), and an unidentified intertidal sea anemone.

b: Group photo of the MBON Pole to Pole workshop participants during field activities.

c: Terrestrial environments adjacent to the intertidal zone, featuring native wildlife such as a large hairy armadillo (Chaetophractus villosus) and a guanaco (Lama guanicoe).

Photo credits: Luke R. Thompson, Gabriela Vélez-Rubio, Erasmo C. Macaya, Edgardo Londoño-Cruz, and Gonzalo Bravo.

Rocky shores are key habitats that occupy extensive areas along the coasts of the Americas. Organisms living on rocky shores are sensitive indicators of broader ecosystem changes (Barry et al. 1995, Sagarin et al. 1999, Helmuth et al. 2006, Hawkins et al. 2008, Mieszkowska et al. 2014, Mieszkowska et al. 2021), highlighting the importance of rocky shore ecosystems as sentinel sites for tracking long-term environmental change. Monitoring Essential Ocean Variables (Miloslavich et al. 2018) such as macroalgal coverage and distribution, and benthic invertebrate diversity is therefore crucial to understanding how coastal biodiversity responds to both local and global drivers, and helps make decisions about the management of resources in a particular region (Thompson et al. 2002, Joseph and Cusson 2015, Mieszkowska et al. 2019). In recognition of the importance of sustained observation efforts, the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (Claudet et al. 2020, Guan et al. 2023) and Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action) and 14 (Life Below Water) emphasize the need for inclusive, coordinated, and long-term monitoring systems to support the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources (Estes et al. 2021).

Rocky intertidal areas are generally easy to access and inexpensive to study, making them ideal for long-term ecological monitoring. Large-scale efforts in these habitats have historically generated important insights on how a region changes (Miloslavich et al. 2019, Satterthwaite et al. 2021, Kaplanis 2023). Initiatives such as MarClim (Mieszkowska et al. 2019) in Europe, the Multi-Agency Rocky Intertidal network (MARINe; Gilbane et al. 2022), the Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans (PISCO; Carr and Bergen 2012) in the United States, and the South American Research Group on Coastal Ecosystems (SARCE; Miloslavich et al. 2016, Cruz‐Motta et al. 2020) in South America have all generated valuable time-series data. However, comparing these datasets remains challenging due to differences in sampling design, methodologies, financial resources and data formats (Duffy et al. 2019, Miloslavich et al. 2019). These inconsistencies in monitoring protocols may compromise standardization, scalability, and long-term feasibility. In this context, the Natural Geography in Shore Areas (NaGISA) project (Rigby et al. 2007), part of the Census of Marine Life, played a pivotal role by establishing standardized protocols for rocky intertidal surveys, which was later expanded across South America through the SARCE program (Miloslavich et al. 2016).

Building upon these foundations, the Marine Biodiversity Observation Network Pole to Pole of the Americas (MBON Pole to Pole) emerged as an international network that fosters standardized and participative biodiversity monitoring across coastal ecosystems (Moity et al. 2025). Since 2016, the network has promoted a standard methodology by adopting photo-quadrats as the primary data collection tool, promoting non-extractive, repeatable, and cost-effective monitoring practices (MBON Pole to Pole 2019). This transition to standardized protocols has enabled broader participation, improved data interoperability, and strengthened alignment with global organizations like the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) and the Ocean Data and Information System (ODIS). Additionally, MBON Pole to Pole is broadening the adoption of GOOS Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs) like macroalgal coverage and benthic invertebrate abundance (Miloslavich et al. 2018, Canonico et al. 2019).

Following a training workshop hosted by IBIOMAR-CONICET in Camarones, Argentina, in March 2023, the MBON Pole to Pole project implemented regionally coordinated, image-based surveys. This activity led to the development of a standardized protocol to guide users in collecting high-quality photo-quadrat images (Montes Herrera et al. 2024). Such methodological consistency enables the effective application of machine learning tools to efficiently and reliably analyze rocky shore photographs (Bravo et al. 2021). The streamlined, non-extractive approach not only facilitates large-scale monitoring but also enhances accessibility, allowing participation from a broad range of contributors across regions. The MBON Pole to Pole actively engages conservation practitioners and citizen scientists, who are trained through regional workshops organized by the network to support the collection of benthic imagery (Bravo et al. 2024).

This report summarizes the fifth MBON Pole to Pole workshop, held in Patagonia, Argentina, with participants from 10 countries: Chile, Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, Puerto Rico, Ecuador (continental and Galapagos Islands), Colombia, and Honduras. This event marked a significant step towards expanding the monitoring network to the northern countries of the Americas and strengthening regional capacity for long-term biodiversity monitoring in coastal ecosystems. To broaden the scope of coastal monitoring, the workshop introduced two complementary techniques to the existing photo-quadrat protocol: seawater environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling and coastal plankton analysis using imaging methods. These additions aim to enhance biodiversity assessments by offering accessible, scalable methodologies and promoting data availability through open access platforms.

General Objective of the MBON Pole to Pole workshop:

• Expand regional surveying stations across the Americas by training new network participants capable of implementing and disseminating the rocky shore photo-quadrat protocol in their respective countries, and testing the integration of simplified methods for eDNA sample collection and coastal plankton analysis into the existing monitoring framework.

Specific Objectives:

• Engage and provide theoretical and hands-on training to park rangers, scientists and managers of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in techniques for capturing standardized photo-quadrats and selecting suitable monitoring sites in rocky intertidal habitats.

• Conduct field demonstrations in intertidal areas to reinforce practical skills and ensure consistency in image quality and data collection across participants.

• Introduce participants to machine learning tools for classification and analysis of photo-quadrats via the CoralNet platform (Beijbom et al. 2015, Chen et al. 2021).

• Test the inclusion of a protocol tailored for coastal habitats utilizing a low-cost sampling kit for the collection and preservation of eDNA seawater samples. Expose participants to the use of eDNA-derived species observation data for biodiversity monitoring.

• Demonstrate a basic protocol for nearshore plankton sampling, through net-towing, and analysis using the Planktoscope, an open-source and low-cost plankton imaging application. This component aimed to broaden the understanding of connections between benthic and planktonic components of coastal ecosystems.

• Co-develop and refine standardized, easy-to-adopt monitoring protocols that integrate optional photographic, eDNA, and plankton data, promoting broader regional adoption.

• Strengthen regional capacity in coastal biodiversity monitoring, literacy, and conservation through collaborative learning and interdisciplinary exchange.

The workshop was designed as an immersive, five-day experience that combined theoretical instruction with hands-on fieldwork and peer-to-peer exchange. The workshop kick-off took place in Puerto Madryn, Argentina, at the National Patagonian Centre of the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (Centro Nacional Patagónico of the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas [CENPAT-CONICET], Fig. 2a). The kick-off was a full day dedicated exclusively to theoretical training on rocky shore monitoring and photo-quadrat sampling methods as foundational elements of the MBON Pole to Pole rocky shore monitoring protocol.

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c

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Figure 2.

Workshop locations.

a: CCT CONICET-CENPAT facilities in Puerto Madryn where the first day of theoretical training on photo-quadrat sampling was conducted.  
b: Municipal Hall "La Nona" in Puerto Pirámides, which hosted the theoretical sessions and demonstrations on eDNA and coastal plankton sampling.  
c: Fieldwork conducted at Estancia San Lorenzo, a site selected for its rich intertidal.  
d: Indoor facilities at Estancia San Lorenzo used for processing water samples and training activities during the workshop.  

On the second day, participants were transported to Puerto Pirámides in the MPA and UNESCO Heritage Site Península Valdés to continue training activities at the Municipal Hall "La Nona" Fig. 2b. Participants were introduced to the theoretical concepts of eDNA and its applications, the use of eDNA in marine biodiversity monitoring, and an overview of bioinformatics data analysis and visualization methods. This session included practical demonstrations of simple and replicable sampling techniques suitable for coastal environments and hands-on exploration of eDNA-derived biodiversity data from global repositories.

The third day was devoted entirely to fieldwork, with a visit to Estancia San Lorenzo near Puerto Pirámides Fig. 2c, d). This site was selected for its pristine rocky intertidal habitats and exuberant and diverse wildlife (e.g., penguins, sea lions, seabirds). The activity provided moments of contemplation and connection with a place of spectacular natural settings and wildlife, which enhanced the reason and justification for monitoring biodiversity. The immersive fieldwork provided participants an opportunity to build a deep connection with the coastal and marine biodiversity of the Argentinian Patagonia, which is key to catalyzing action and championing marine biodiversity monitoring efforts in their respective countries.

The fourth day returned to theoretical learning, this time focusing on coastal plankton sampling and analysis using the PlanktoScope technology. The PlanktoScope is a modular, community-supported, quantitative imaging platform, developed with the aim of lowering the threshold for the collection, processing, and analysis of plankton observations throughout the world’s ocean in a standardized fashion (Pollina et al. 2022).

On the fifth and final day, participants presented findings, reflections, and proposed next steps for applying what they had learned in their respective countries. The presentations fostered dialogue, mutual support, and the strengthening of a collaborative network committed to advancing coastal biodiversity monitoring across the Americas.

Several key recommendations emerged during workshop discussions. Emphasis was on the strengthening and expansion of the photo-quadrat protocol for rocky intertidal monitoring for regional operational and comparable biodiversity surveys, with the options of incorporating eDNA and plankton imaging into biodiversity monitoring efforts:

• Adapting the protocol for low tidal amplitude regions: A need was identified to modify certain aspects of the protocol to ensure its applicability in areas with minimal tidal variation. This is the case with the Caribbean Basin. Given that much of the current protocol is based on experiences from high-amplitude tidal zones like Patagonia (Argentina and Chile), adjustments will help broaden its use across different geographical contexts.

• Continued engagement of conservation practitioners, educators, and resource managers: Participants emphasized the importance of involving park rangers, local conservation agents, and trained citizens in the monitoring process. Their long-term presence and familiarity with the sites are key to carry out activities in the long run and enhance local ownership of monitoring efforts and the subsequent use of data. The group recommended creating a series of short video tutorials as training resources for participating individuals and groups.

• Development of a species-grouping reference document: A recurring challenge identified in past and current workshops is the classification of organisms—particularly macroalgae—within CATAMI categories (Althaus et al. 2015). Participants agreed on the need to co-develop a standardized document detailing which species, including diverse morphofunctional groups of seaweeds, are grouped under each CATAMI category. This tool will be essential for harmonizing analyses and reducing misclassifications, especially when working with photographs taken out of water, where algal morphology can be difficult to discern.

As part of the conclusions, the sampling methodologies developed during the MBON workshop show strong potential for collaborative networks aiming to improve primary data collection through non-extractive, repeatable, and cost-effective monitoring practices and for future scientific initiatives that go beyond participatory approaches. These methodologies open the door to community-engaged projects involving park rangers, local schools and other non-scientific stakeholders, fostering inclusive and collaborative knowledge generation.

While inexpensive and easy-to-apply methodologies are being widely adopted by biodiversity monitoring efforts throughout the region, sustained financial and institutional support continues to emerge as a key challenge. Individual commitment has supported such efforts. Nonetheless, the inclusion of other stakeholders, such as park rangers and citizen scientists, the MBON Pole to Pole has strengthened its ability to sustain monitoring of coastal habitats, showing a large potential for expansion as a model along the Americas. This way, further steps may focus on

1. ensuring local engagement and financial support,
2. promoting those simple protocols as basic monitoring solutions for coastal protected areas,
3. putting into practice a standardized workflow linking data collection to integrated analysis at multiple scales.

This workshop consolidated the MBON Pole to Pole network as a robust and collaborative platform for generating marine biodiversity data using standardized protocols across diverse regions. The network has demonstrated its scalability and stands as a global example of how coordinated, science-based monitoring can inform marine conservation and management. Moving forward, key priorities include securing sustained funding to maintain momentum, expanding monitoring coverage and stakeholder participation, and developing simplified and affordable protocols to integrate emerging tools like environmental DNA and plankton imaging into network activities. Implementing these innovations as proof-of-concept initiatives will be essential to further enhance the network’s capacity to support biodiversity assessments and ecosystem-based management at regional and global scales.

1- Rocky intertidal sampling with photo-quadrats

The workshop provided an opportunity to advance and improve the standardized rocky intertidal monitoring protocol co-developed and refined during the previous two workshops in Argentina (Bravo et al. 2024, Montes Herrera et al. 2024), including advances in automated sample cropping and preprocessing using an AI model for object recognition (Kirillov et al. 2023). A key highlight of this edition was the participation of researchers previously involved in the SARCE project. This allowed revisiting and discussing the benefits of nested sampling designs — with multiple sites within each locality — to strengthen the statistical robustness of intercomparisons across sampling localities and spatial scales. This activity included the participation of national park rangers and provincial wildlife wardens from Chubut, Argentina, who contributed field-based insights to further improve the feasibility and adaptability of the protocol. Their firsthand monitoring experiences, in a variety of field conditions, provided critical feedback to produce a refined and straightforward protocol.

Fieldwork in the rocky intertidal zone was conducted in small teams of 4–5 participants, with each group using the standard quadrat frame and camera to practice the setup and image capture protocols. This hands-on experience ensured that all participants became familiar with the methodology and were able to troubleshoot common challenges (Fig. 3b, d, f).

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d

e

f

Figure 3.

Field activities carried out during the workshop.

a: Collection of coastal water samples using a Niskin bottle.  
b: Rocky intertidal exploration to determine suitable monitoring areas.  
c: Manual, electricity-free filtration system for collection and preservation of environmental DNA (eDNA) samples.  
d: Photo acquisition in the rocky intertidal zone using the standardized quadrat method.  
e: PlanktonScope unit during the plankton imaging demonstration.  
f: Quadrat structure (25 × 25 cm) and Olympus TG-7 camera setup used to capture images.  

Finally, a dedicated session was held to identify potential new monitoring sites and countries that could be incorporated into the expanding MBON network. As a result, four complete photo-quadrat kits — including cameras and frame structures — were provided to participants from Colombia, continental Ecuador, Perú, and Trinidad and Tobago. Additionally, five extra quadrat structures were also delivered to countries already equipped with suitable cameras, facilitating further expansion of the protocol’s geographic reach.

2- eDNA

3- Assessing and monitoring planktonic communities with affordable imaging tools

Special thanks to Administración de Parques Nacionales (APN), Ministerio de Turismo y Áreas Protegidas de la Provincia del Chubut, Municipalidad de Puerto Pirámides. Thanks to the CCT CONICET-CENPAT for hosting the workshop and technicians Andrés Morales, Julio Rúa, Fabián Quiroga and Hugo Insaurralde for logistics support. Fundación ProyectoSub supported the logistics and organization of the workshops. We are deeply grateful to Dr. Daniel Otis of the University of South Florida, College of Marine Science, for the administrative and logistical support provided for the organization of this activity. NM thanks the Galapagos National Park and the Charles Darwin Foundation for their institutional support. This publication is contribution number 2736 of the Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galapagos Islands.

This workshop and collaborative effort was made possible by the Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON) including support from NASA (grants NNX14AP62A; 80NSSC20K0017, 80NSSC22K1779), and NOAA (IOOS grant NA19NOS0120199).

This workshop was hosted by the Instituto de Biología de Organismos Marinos (IBIOMAR-CONICET) at CCT CONICET-CENPAT and carried out thanks to the following institutions: CONICET, U Miami, USF, NOAA, National Parks Administration (APN), ProyectoSub Foundation, and NASA.