Periodic Reporting for period 2 - OBAMA-NEXT (OBSERVING AND MAPPING MARINE ECOSYSTEMS – NEXT GENERATION TOOLS)
Período documentado: 2024-06-01 hasta 2025-11-30
OBAMA-NEXT aims to deliver accurate, precise and relevant information characterizing marine ecosystems and their biodiversity. This will be achieved by examining new/emerging technologies, including remote sensing, eDNA, optical instruments and citizen science, as supplement to existing marine monitoring techniques for enhancing our capacity to predict ecosystem function and biodiversity with higher spatial and temporal resolution. This critical evaluation will contribute to amending/producing Essential Ocean/Biodiversity Variables (EOVs/EBVs) and shaping next generation monitoring programs. OBAMA-NEXT will strengthen Europe’s capability in acquiring and utilizing biological ocean observations and ensure its proper use for better management of marine resources through strong public outreach and active stakeholder communication.
In WP1, we have primarily focused on Iterative co-development and specification of data products. We have progressed in advancing the IP catalogue by adding new IPs and co-developing with PAB those which were sufficiently mature through recurrent PAB meetings. The catalogue contains currently 40 IPs. We have also revised and improved the IP specifications and documentation requirements.
In WP2, we have collected and harmonised the data across the OBAMA-NEXT Learning sites and built the IPs using innovative technologies to assess the diversity in pelagic habitats (D2.2). Task 2.2 demonstrated detection of harmful algae blooms using more recent sensors (PACE) has been successful. Task 2.3 leveraged the eDNA approach to develop innovative indicators for ecological status and fish biomass, offering alternatives to traditional methods. EOV/EBVs have been discussed with different EU projects and international initiatives to highlight the need for a common vision and foster collaboration. Task 2.5 enhanced long-term citizen science engagement by reviewing marine programs, identifying design principles and barriers, and recommending hybrid validation models, transparent communication, reward systems, and open platforms (D2.3).
In WP3, we have analysed drone-based data collected through the Coherent Mapping Study (CMS) and produced detailed habitat maps for several OBAMA-NEXT Learning Sites. Task 3.3 investigated the usability of molecular methods for benthic monitoring. Task 3.4 evaluated the status, opportunities, and barriers to using Citizen Science in benthic biodiversity mapping. Finally, Task 3.5 produced a synthesis report on best practices for benthic monitoring (D3.4) and a related policy brief (D3.5). These documents consolidate insights from all tasks and highlight gaps between policy-driven data needs and current technological capabilities, emphasising how emerging methods can help close these gaps in benthic monitoring.
In WP4, we have facilitated the delivery of IP codes to GitHub and finalized report on use of GitHub and management of IP codes including route to a permanent archival. Task 4.3 developed predictive maps on fish larval production areas and a new method to integrate expert information and monitoring data. Task 4.4 ensured that visualizations of outputs for 13 IPs are uploaded on the OBAMA-NEXT viewer platform. Task 4.5 explored further the methods for quantifying the uncertainty of mapping products.
In WP5, we continued the work on validation and evaluation of methodologies and tools, working with partners, LSs and IP developers to set up and apply a framework of evaluation of OBAMA-NEXT IPs. Task 5.3 has focused on evaluating information products for predictive modelling, identifying potential users, linking and extending OBAMA-NEXT work to external communities and users, concluding this work with the submission of D5.1.
In WP6, we continued developing the contents of Tasks 6.3 and 6.4 whose prerogatives consist in testing the applicability of the project’s IPs with specific reference to environmental policy drivers revolving around two thematics: the improvement of the ecological coherence and management effectiveness of MPA networks in the EU and blue carbon assessments. Task 6.3 work specifically involved identifying the IPs under development by the consortium, soliciting and following the development of those that would be useful for the task to ensure that their delivery can be useful for showcasing their applicability in spatial assessment exercises regarding protected area network ecological coherence at the widest meaningful geographical scale.
In WP7, we continued to update the Zenodo repository with dissemination and exploitation materials, communication and dissemination activities of the project, engaging with other relevant scientific projects and networks. We have continued to developed infographics and animated videos. In total, 58 scientific papers have been published thus far, and a total of 89 poster/oral communications at scientific conferences.
In WP2, we have collected and harmonised the data across the OBAMA-NEXT Learning sites and built the IPs using innovative technologies to assess the diversity in pelagic habitats (D2.2). Task 2.2 demonstrated detection of harmful algae blooms using more recent sensors (PACE) has been successful. Task 2.3 leveraged the eDNA approach to develop innovative indicators for ecological status and fish biomass, offering alternatives to traditional methods. EOV/EBVs have been discussed with different EU projects and international initiatives to highlight the need for a common vision and foster collaboration. Task 2.5 enhanced long-term citizen science engagement by reviewing marine programs, identifying design principles and barriers, and recommending hybrid validation models, transparent communication, reward systems, and open platforms (D2.3).
In WP3, we have analysed drone-based data collected through the Coherent Mapping Study (CMS) and produced detailed habitat maps for several OBAMA-NEXT Learning Sites. Task 3.3 investigated the usability of molecular methods for benthic monitoring. Task 3.4 evaluated the status, opportunities, and barriers to using Citizen Science in benthic biodiversity mapping. Finally, Task 3.5 produced a synthesis report on best practices for benthic monitoring (D3.4) and a related policy brief (D3.5). These documents consolidate insights from all tasks and highlight gaps between policy-driven data needs and current technological capabilities, emphasising how emerging methods can help close these gaps in benthic monitoring.
In WP4, we have facilitated the delivery of IP codes to GitHub and finalized report on use of GitHub and management of IP codes including route to a permanent archival. Task 4.3 developed predictive maps on fish larval production areas and a new method to integrate expert information and monitoring data. Task 4.4 ensured that visualizations of outputs for 13 IPs are uploaded on the OBAMA-NEXT viewer platform. Task 4.5 explored further the methods for quantifying the uncertainty of mapping products.
In WP5, we continued the work on validation and evaluation of methodologies and tools, working with partners, LSs and IP developers to set up and apply a framework of evaluation of OBAMA-NEXT IPs. Task 5.3 has focused on evaluating information products for predictive modelling, identifying potential users, linking and extending OBAMA-NEXT work to external communities and users, concluding this work with the submission of D5.1.
In WP6, we continued developing the contents of Tasks 6.3 and 6.4 whose prerogatives consist in testing the applicability of the project’s IPs with specific reference to environmental policy drivers revolving around two thematics: the improvement of the ecological coherence and management effectiveness of MPA networks in the EU and blue carbon assessments. Task 6.3 work specifically involved identifying the IPs under development by the consortium, soliciting and following the development of those that would be useful for the task to ensure that their delivery can be useful for showcasing their applicability in spatial assessment exercises regarding protected area network ecological coherence at the widest meaningful geographical scale.
In WP7, we continued to update the Zenodo repository with dissemination and exploitation materials, communication and dissemination activities of the project, engaging with other relevant scientific projects and networks. We have continued to developed infographics and animated videos. In total, 58 scientific papers have been published thus far, and a total of 89 poster/oral communications at scientific conferences.
OBAMA-NEXT has in the first 36 months focused on establishing an infrastructure (data, algorithms, models) and producing information products (IPs), although several scientific highlights have also been achieved:
- Reviewing existing and emerging technologies for mapping biodiversity in pelagic and benthic habitats. These two reviews are fundamental pillars for focusing the work on relevant methods, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of different technologies.
- Developing an algorithm to map the presence of coccolithophores in the Black Sea from satellite data. These results show long-term declines of coccolithophore blooms, associated with climate change.
- Establishing a standard data processing chain from raw flow cytometry data to AI/ML algorithms for identifying taxonomical units at high resolution.
- Demonstrating the use of drones for benthic mapping through ML algorithms using feature segmentation to produce high-resolution maps of benthic communities in nearshore waters.
- Developing methods to process acoustic survey data and trawling data to produce biomass indicators, maps of fish assemblages, and assess environmental effects on species abundance in the Baltic Sea.
- Producing predictive maps on fish larval production areas based on larvae sampling data and fisheries statistics by means of species distribution models. These maps identify hot spots for fish nurseries of high conservation value.
- Producing maps for the distribution of harbour porpoises from tagged animals in the Danish Straits.
- Producing maps for the distribution of grey and harbour seals in the Baltic Sea region.
- Developing a mapping approach that combines the advantages of Ordinary Kriging and 2-dimensional GAMs.
- Reviewing existing and emerging technologies for mapping biodiversity in pelagic and benthic habitats. These two reviews are fundamental pillars for focusing the work on relevant methods, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of different technologies.
- Developing an algorithm to map the presence of coccolithophores in the Black Sea from satellite data. These results show long-term declines of coccolithophore blooms, associated with climate change.
- Establishing a standard data processing chain from raw flow cytometry data to AI/ML algorithms for identifying taxonomical units at high resolution.
- Demonstrating the use of drones for benthic mapping through ML algorithms using feature segmentation to produce high-resolution maps of benthic communities in nearshore waters.
- Developing methods to process acoustic survey data and trawling data to produce biomass indicators, maps of fish assemblages, and assess environmental effects on species abundance in the Baltic Sea.
- Producing predictive maps on fish larval production areas based on larvae sampling data and fisheries statistics by means of species distribution models. These maps identify hot spots for fish nurseries of high conservation value.
- Producing maps for the distribution of harbour porpoises from tagged animals in the Danish Straits.
- Producing maps for the distribution of grey and harbour seals in the Baltic Sea region.
- Developing a mapping approach that combines the advantages of Ordinary Kriging and 2-dimensional GAMs.