Co-Creating Transformative Pathways to Biological and Ecosystem Ocean Observations

Project Information

BioEcoOcean

Grant agreement ID: 101136748

DOI

10.3030/101136748

EC signature date 24 November 2023

Start date 1 February 2024

End date 31 January 2028

Funded under

• Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment

Total cost

€ 5 665 996,25

EU contribution

€ 5 665 996,25

Coordinated by

UPPSALA UNIVERSITET
Sweden

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - BioEcoOcean (Co-Creating Transformative Pathways to Biological and Ecosystem Ocean Observations)

Reporting period: 2024-02-01 to 2025-07-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Life in the ocean is critical for human survival, yet marine environments are degrading, species are disappearing, and ecosystems are rapidly changing. To respond effectively, we must advance ocean observations to understand these changes, mitigate threats, and scale up drivers of positive change. Compared with physical and biogeochemical monitoring, observations of marine life lag behind. Limited coordination, insufficient information sharing, and fragmented integration of biological data constrain the delivery of critical information, hindering science-based decision-making on climate, biodiversity, and sustainability.

The overarching goal of BioEcoOcean is to strengthen biological and ecosystem ocean observation capacity, advancing scientific understanding while increasing the practical utility of observations. Achieving this requires coordination and interoperability across sectors and stakeholders. A central objective is the co-creation of a comprehensive and inclusive Blueprint for Integrated Ocean Science (BIOS) to foster holistic, collaborative, and interoperable observations.

The project accelerates the implementation of Biology and Ecosystems (BioEco) Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs), which define minimum requirements for interoperable and comparable data. These align with Essential Climate Variables (ECVs) and Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs), ensuring synergies across domains. BioEcoOcean develops operational workflows for BioEco EOVs, raising technological readiness to deliver information for improved management and use of the ocean.

In parallel, the project works to harmonise approaches, standards, and protocols for BioEco EOV/ECV observations, modelling, and reporting. By integrating interdisciplinary methods and advanced technologies, it strengthens understanding of links between ocean biodiversity, biogeochemistry, and climate. Demonstrating operational workflows from observing system design to policy application, BioEcoOcean also contributes to capacity building for global observing and forecasting systems.

The project’s living labs illustrate its scale and ambition. These demonstration sites co-create operational BioEco ocean observing in diverse marine settings, providing models for global uptake. They aim to advance the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of BioEco EOVs from concept (TRL 1–3) to pilot and mature levels (TRL 5–7), enhancing efficiency and operationalisation while addressing societal as well as scientific needs.

The consortium unites expertise from natural and social sciences, ensuring interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches. Outcomes are co-created not only across academic fields but also with wider society, bridging the gap between data providers and users. With strong emphasis on capacity building and adherence to the FAIR Data Principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable), BioEcoOcean supports long-term sustainability and broad application of results.

Overall, BioEcoOcean strengthens ocean observation and management systems at local, national, and global scales, contributing to policy, research, and technological development.

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

In the initial phase of the project, BioEcoOcean established living labs across key marine ecosystems, spanning diverse environmental settings from coastal to open ocean, and from the Mediterranean to the Arctic. These living labs serve as co-creation spaces with stakeholders and as testbeds for targeted research on Biology and Ecosystems Essential Ocean Variables (BioEco EOVs), including phytoplankton, zooplankton, macroalgae, seagrass, fish, invertebrates, seabirds, marine mammals, and turtles.

Significant progress has been made in refining ocean observation methods and testing new technologies. These include the use of environmental DNA (eDNA), underwater camera systems, and acoustic monitoring to capture biodiversity data more effectively. Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms for image recognition are being developed to automate species identification and quantification from large datasets. In addition, the project is testing the integration of high-resolution remote sensing technologies (e.g. Copernicus data, Sentinel-2) with in-situ observations and machine learning techniques, to improve species distribution mapping and reduce uncertainties.

Among the key scientific achievements to date are:
• Development of the early versions of the Blueprint for Integrated Ocean Science (BIOS), laying the groundwork for a comprehensive, co-created framework for integrated ocean observation.
• Organisation of multiple stakeholder workshops, which have identified critical gaps in current ocean observation practices and informed the project’s future directions.
• Close collaboration with the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), IOC-UNESCO, and their BioEco panel to advance the framework for BioEco EOVs. In particular, BioEcoOcean contributed to the update and further development of all 12 BioEco EOV specification sheets, which are essential reference documents for enabling the uptake and standardisation of EOVs worldwide.

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)

The BioEcoOcean project proposes a foundational change in how biological and ecosystem ocean observations are approached. BioEcoOcean is developing a pioneering Blueprint, which will set new standards for collaboration and all-inclusive approaches to ocean observation (Figure Blueprint). The novelty of its approach lies in a holistic perspective of ocean observing, where all workflow components are considered together, and their interconnectedness is addressed towards operational capacity. Another key innovation is the emphasis on co-creation with stakeholders, ensuring that the tools and systems developed are practical and aligned with the needs across sectors and stakeholders.

Additionally, the project is advancing beyond the current state of the art by integrating diverse technologies, such as remote sensing and acoustic monitoring, to improve the detection and monitoring of marine biodiversity. Alongside this, the project is improving data pipelines from BioEco EOV data collection into the globally accessible Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS). The project’s strong contribution to enhancing FAIR data practices in ocean science of biological and ecosystem data will facilitate better access to and use of data, advancing international research and policy efforts.

Co-creation with stakeholders for the Blueprint development.

The Blueprint for Integrated Ocean Science (BIOS)