Engaging Communities and Monitoring Climate Change Impacts: The Eco_Pop_ER Database as a Model of Open Science

Mario Marino, University of Bologna
Francesca Tosi, University of Bologna
Francesco Scalone , Università di Bologna
Rosella Rettaroli, University of Bologna
Nadia Barbieri, Lund University

The Eco_Pop_ER Database, a core element of the MEMOREC project, is an open-access resource for studying the interactions between demographic dynamics and climate change in Emilia-Romagna. Following FAIR data principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable), it promotes open science and data activism. Integrating over 5.5 million records and 516 indicators covering demographic, climatic, and territorial data from 2000–2024, the database supports analyses of climate impacts on population trends. Through a citizen science approach, Eco_Pop_ER engages researchers and the public alike. Initiatives such as the Data4Resilience challenge invite University of Bologna students to explore the data, fostering data literacy and improving metadata and inclusivity. Applications include clustering, PCA, spatiotemporal modeling, and exposure analysis on themes such as climate vulnerability and hydrogeological risk. The database encompasses a wide range of indicators, such as population characteristics, climate data, environmental risks, and socioeconomic variables Setting a benchmark for open data platforms, Eco_Pop_ER connects academic research with societal impact. Future developments will extend data coverage and strengthen collaborations for advancing climate resilience and demographic research.

See extended abstract

 Presented in Session P8. Demographic Trends, History, Data and Methods