The BRIDGE-BS concept revolves around three interconnected NODES. NODE 1 aims to understand the effect of multistressors on the distribution and sustainability of ecosystem services (ES) provided to society. To achieve this, multistressors that are defined in the Black Sea SRIA are addressed (warming, deoxygenation, acidification, overfishing, invasive species, eutrophication, pollution [including litter], sea/land-based sector activities) under BRIDGE-BS. Database construction and data integration efforts significantly advanced during RP2 despite the setbacks. With database access and a dedicated sub-portal focusing on visualisation, access to BRIDGE-BS results has been made easier with more results now being available. Intercalibration efforts have been finalized and an in-situ, at-sea oceanographic intercomparison has just been completed in summer 2024 (WP1). In WP2, a common forcing set has been prepared and ensemble models have started to advance with climate scenario simulations on this common ground. Key model outputs related to multistressor-ESs relationships have started to emerge both on the Black Sea scale and pilot site-scale. WP3 used both the WP1 database and WP2 simulation results to assess resilience landscapes and tipping points. The implementation of a prototype supervised Bayesian Belief Network and Artificial Neural Network frameworks was accomplished (WP4). They will be used to perform the integrated risk-based assessment and support the development of adaptive management strategies and a sustainable blue economy in the Black Sea, linked to NODE 3. NODE 2 focuses on stimulating blue economy within the safe operating space identified in NODE 1, to elucidate the ESs that can support a sustainable blue economy via i) the strengthening of resource management, ii) the development and application of innovative monitoring technologies (i.e. biogeochemical sensors, genomics, and smart observations). An integrated approach for adopting new technologies for rapid biodiversity assessments is developed and a detailed Black Sea basin-wide e-DNA sampling has been conducted, fulfilling a critical milestone while enabling the work for lab-level extraction, sequencing, and bioinformatic work to kick off. Laboratory-level developments have been finalised and field trials have been launched for key novel technologies that will be used in the future monitoring of multistressors in the ES and blue biotech potential. Further, NODE 2 have now successfully finalized most of the planned seagoing expedition work, accomplishing a critical milestone with many new data and samples at hand. The analyses of expedition results and sample analyses are in progress and this will be communicated in upcoming WP7-8 events to see how the recent trends in multistressors are perceived from the 'landside' (WP6) and will be used to implement a roadmap for the acceleration of smart monitoring technologies will be implemented jointly with WP7. Additionally, 3 rounds of Living Labs have been completed as critical co-creation local platforms and providing input to both NODE 1 and NODE 2. NODE 2 supports innovation via the Black Sea Accelerator andthe High-Tech Summit for the Black Sea by promoting for investors, innovative and viable solutions for a sustainable blue economy. NODE 3 aims to use the scientific and innovation outcomes from BRIDGE-BS to enable the policy uptake of results and for capacity building and outreach to different groups of stakeholders. Intensive capacity building, outreach and communication activities were carried out. Policy dialogue has been launched with a dedicated major in-person event which was followed up by online knowledge-transfer workshops. Tailored policy outreach actions have been designed for both technical-scientific policy stakeholders and non-technical policy, regional development or international relations experts. WP9 has conducted a high number of outreach actions targeting broader age groups and target audiences.
