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Improved transdisciplinary science for effective ecosystem-based maritime spatial planning and conservation in European Seas (MarinePlan)

Project description

Decision-support system for ecosystem-based maritime spatial planning

Every single plant and animal on Earth is a member of an ecosystem. The importance of ecosystem biodiversity cannot be underestimated, mainly because of climate change. The effective management of marine activities and the sustainable use of marine and coastal resources are top priorities. Maritime spatial planning (MSP) is the governance process responsible for achieving and maintaining the balance between maritime sustainability and exploitation. However, transboundary coordination and policymaking challenges make this difficult. The EU-funded MarinePlan project supports the implementation of ecosystem-based MSP through the development of a decision support platform. It will offer guidance for an improved alignment of MSP, spatial conservation and restoration measures during the challenging times of ever-increasing pressures on marine ecosystems.

Objective

One of today’s most pressing challenges is to safeguard the loss of ecosystem biodiversity and functioning, while simultaneously allowing for their exploitation by those who depend on their services, goods and benefits. In Europe, Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) is the main governance process to ideally integrate sustainability and exploitation. This requires tools and knowledge to align MSP and marine protected area (MPA) designation processes, which are lacking particularly regarding transboundary coordination and connectivity. Founded on a large amount of expertise and a solid theoretical basis, MarinePlan will co-develop with stakeholders a Decision Support System (DSS) for ecosystem-based maritime spatial planning (EB-MSP) together with best practice guidance to enhance the effectiveness of spatial conservation and restoration measures for marine biodiversity in European Seas. Tools will comprise operational criteria for ecologically or biologically significant marine areas (EBSA), enabling the allocation of conservation and restoration areas at various scales in complex sea areas with multiple uses, while including the effects of climate change. The DSS will be developed and applied at eight European planning sites, from coastal ecosystems to open ocean and the deep sea and from local to trans-boundary scales. Applying and validating the DSS will incorporate realistic planning scenarios, key action points to achieve the EU Biodiversity Strategy, and policy recommendations how to enhance EB-MSP implementation in European Seas. MarinePlan will communicate results to decision-makers at horizontal (between sectors) and vertical (from local to European) levels and enable the transfer of knowledge to areas in differing socio-ecological settings. The improved natural and social science base will ensure effective policymaking to support a greater coherence in implementing environmental policies as well as to enable streamlined planning for marine industries.

Coordinator

JOHANN HEINRICH VON THUENEN-INSTITUT, BUNDESFORSCHUNGSINSTITUT FUER LAENDLICHE RAEUME, WALD UND FISCHEREI
Net EU contribution
€ 662 625,00
Address
BUNDESALLEE 50
38116 Braunschweig
Germany

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Region
Niedersachsen Braunschweig Braunschweig, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost
€ 662 625,00

Participants (13)

Partners (3)