MARine COastal BiOdiversity Long-term Observations

Project Information

MARCO-BOLO

Grant agreement ID: 101082021

DOI

10.3030/101082021

EC signature date 3 October 2022

Start date 1 December 2022

End date 30 November 2026

Funded under

• Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment

Total cost

€ 7 255 037,50

EU contribution

€ 7 255 036,75

Coordinated by

EUROPEAN MARINE BIOLOGICAL RESOURCE CENTRE EUROPEAN RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE CONSORTIUM
France

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MARCO-BOLO (MARine COastal BiOdiversity Long-term Observations)

Reporting period: 2022-12-01 to 2024-05-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Coastal and marine areas are some of the most dynamic and productive part of the oceans, but due to their proximity to human populations, they are exposed to intensive anthropogenic disturbances. The need to monitor and understand the human interaction and impact on the coastal zone, together with the enhanced requirement for national assessment and reporting on GES for EU marine policies e.g. Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), has led to a rise in ocean observing and monitoring capability at national, regional, European and global levels in last decade. However, expansions have been uncoordinated, driven by national and regional policies, and are often undertaken through short-term research projects.

MARCO-BOLO (MBO henceforth) will address these challenges by connecting existing capability, optimising and improving methods and further innovating technologies for biodiversity observations. MBO will establish a platform to deliver operational EOVs and EBVs using open-access protocols and tools, which will be demonstrated in real-world applications in support of the WFD, MSFD, and the Birds and Habitats Directives.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

WP1 has developed templates, guidance, and pathways to ensure the data, information, and digital knowledge outputs of MARCO-BOLO are aligned with the FAIR principles as implemented by key data systems, the UN infrastructures (OBIS, ODIS and Ocean Info Hub) relaying essential variable data to their intended consumers. The approaches developed in MARCO-BOLO are being made available to be readily implemented by other projects.

WP2 – The main output so far has been deliverable 2.1 which specifically addresses the validation of eDNA-based approaches by meta-analysing eDNA and traditional approaches, with the aim to demonstrate the validity and usefulness of eDNA in a monitoring capacity. A table of EBVs and EOVs has been designed for members of task 2.1 to update with the suitability of eDNA-based methods.

WP3, "Linking Land and Sea Biodiversity Observations," has made progress in all its tasks. The main objective of this work package is to enhance understanding of the direct and indirect drivers of biodiversity loss along a land-to-sea continuum. The other tasks have also progressed towards completing their objectives, focusing on preparing data templates and beginning data collection for various case studies.

WP4: In the first report period (M18) WP4 has developed on-board data processing and/or geolocation capabilities to all 5 genomics, imaging and acoustics technologies prioritised as part of this work package, and submitted the related Deliverable 4.1. Three publications have been submitted, including one describing the incorporation of machine learning using satellite data in combination with a photosynthetic gene marker, towards large-scale collection of EBV data has.

WP5 Modelling & mapping coastal and marine biodiversity has progressed work in all of its diverse modelling tasks. Marine biodiversity time series data have been compiled from a variety of public databases, with a data call launched to obtain additional data, all sources currently being processed for analysis. A Non-Indigenous Invasive species detection workflow has been implemented using genetic data from the ARMS-MBON observatory, with a data paper that has already been submitted.

WP6 has progressed with its main objective to ensure that project outcomes are stakeholder and user driven, with a main focus on EU marine and freshwater biodiversity policies implementation requirements. A Community of Practice (CoP) was established during the early stages of the project so members can provide advice and steer overall stakeholder engagement. A large-scale online stakeholder profiling survey was also carried out, with more than 500 respondents.

In WP7, The coordination team efforts were predominantly focused on the project initiation tasks in M1-M6 with the setting up of the Project Management Guide (D7.1 delivered M3) and the Project Data Management Plan (D7.2 delivered M6). A Plan for Dissemination, Exploitation and Communication Activities (PDEC ) was developed, as well as the project logo, communication templates (e.g. PPT and poster), factsheet, videos and infographics, social media channels and website. Furthermore, WP7 has initiated collaborations with relevant , including OBAMA-Next, DiverSea, BioEcoOcean, and BlueRemediomics.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

MBO has four main ambitions: Harmonise marine biodiversity datasets, validate eDNA approaches, monitoring of ocean health, and improve marine biodiversity literacy, uptake, and use.
Harmonise marine biodiversity datasets: The results contribute to the establishment of a structured marine biodiversity observation system in Europe. The DMP sets a high standard for data management. MBO is aiming to overcoming the hurdle from science to application. The metanalysis should provide confidence to environment agencies and other potential users that these new techniques are robust, consistent, reliable, and in some cases more performant than the currently used techniques.

Validate eDNA approaches (specific actions): The work carried out in MBO is aimed at overcoming the hurdle from science to application. The metanalysis should provide confidence to environment agencies and other potential users that these new techniques are robust, consistent, reliable, and in some cases more performant than the currently used techniques.

Monitoring Ocean Health: The work under this ambition is only just started and so have limited results at this point. MBO will contribute to the ability and capacity to monitor and observe biodiversity using autonomous vehicles, which will be a substantial move forward.
Improve marine biodiversity literacy, uptake and use:. A crucial aspect here is the implementation of an international framework for marine biodiversity observation. This is an important step in ensuring that European observation contributes to global efforts.

MARCO-BOLO Logo