A successful experiment in coordinating European scientists
Biological diversity or biodiversity is a measure of the variety of genes, species, habitats, landscape, behaviour and other factors. Biodiversity is necessary for life to exist on Earth. It ensures the provision of clean air, water and soil as well as other natural resources. Biodiversity is responsible for the roof over one's head, the clothes one wears, the food one eats and the medicines one takes. Marine biodiversity is a primary component of overall biodiversity. It is especially important given that approximately sixty percent of the world's population lives within 100 kilometers of the sea. The fishing industry owes its existence to marine biodiversity. Value must also be assigned to less tangible parameters such as the aesthetic and entertainment features of the sea. It is a complex issue. Until now, little work has been done to coordinate the research efforts of scientists spread throughout the European Union and beyond in this field. This was the exact goal of the BIOMARE project, in which over twenty organisations from seventeen different countries participated. The large nature of the project led to increased networking among the participants. An important outcome was the establishment of a common methodology for the selection of reference sites for marine biodiversity. In addition, agreement was reached on standardised measures and indicators of marine biodiversity. This will make comparison of research performed by different institutes easier in the future since there is an accepted framework. In order to create a central repository of information, including actual data, a web site was created. Publications can easily be distributed from this location as well as information about upcoming conferences. BIOMARE also succeeded in organising the first European conference on marine biodiversity. Other dissemination activities include the publication of two major books on the subject. BIOMARE is an excellent example of working to optimise the application of limited resources, both human and financial, in an important scientific field. The work does not stop here. The web site (http://www.biomareweb.org/) continues to inform the scientific community and the public at large about issues concerning marine biodiversity.
