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Application of novel cost-effective imaging tools for the MONItoring of benthic ecosystems in the offshore marine area of CAp de Creus

Objective

The offshore marine area of Cap de Creus (NW Mediterranean), characterised by its complex geological setting and rich epibenthic ecosystem, was declared a Site of Community Importance (SCI) of the Natura 2000 Network in 2014. Although environmental factors play a fundamental role in the distribution of benthic fauna, commercial fishing was found to exert a significant effect on the diversity and structure of benthic communities, especially on the soft-bottom areas of the shelf. The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) determines that thematic strategies should be implemented to preserve its marine resources following an ecosystem-based approach, setting environmental targets and implementing a monitoring program to evaluate if conservation objectives are met. There is currently an array of imaging technologies at our disposal that could be used to monitor the benthic ecosystems of this SCI, but most would require highly elevated budgets to be operated on a regular basis. In this scenario, the project MONICA aims to explore the potential of recently developed low-cost imaging technologies (i.e. the Azor drift-cam) to explore and monitor the shelf and slope habitats of Cap de Creus to provide a cost-effective response to the demands of the MSFD. With this technology, MONICA will identify changes in the composition and structure of benthic communities since the creation of the SCI and generate a new baseline for the implementation of a correct monitoring program. Furthermore, it will
employ low-cost Baited Remote Underwater Videos (BRUVs) to characterise the demersal fish assemblages and determine the functional role of benthic communities. If successful, these technologies could open the doors to generate essential data at a significantly lower cost in other areas of the Mediterranean to assist in decision-making processes and policy development for the conservation and restoration of marine biodiversity in times of rapid changes.

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01

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Coordinator

AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 165 312,96
Address
CALLE SERRANO 117
28006 MADRID
Spain

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Region
Comunidad de Madrid Comunidad de Madrid Madrid
Activity type
Research Organisations
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Total cost

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