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Systematic Characterisation and Archiving of megafauNa on a regional scale in a Deep-sea area threatened by mining

Objective

The worldwide demand for metals and rare-earth elements is increasing, fuelled by developing economies and the growth of high-technology green industries. The Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean contains vast reserves of polymetallic nodules on the abyssal seafloor, a future source of deep-sea minerals already targeted for exploitation. There is an almost complete absence of open biodiversity data on the large animals (megafauna) of this 6 million km2 area, and it is a pressing conservation priority to establish baseline data to enable future sustainable management of the region. In particular, a regional-level assessment that cuts across contracted areas is urgently needed to [1] establish the baseline quantitative ecology of the region, [2] assess species richness and ranges and thus, [3] enable the successful management of this globally important marine area in the context of a global ‘blue growth’ agenda. The objective of this fellowship is to develop the first regional-level approach to megafauna classification and identification in the CCZ. This will be done using a three-fold approach: (1) The development of a new open-access data-archiving bioinformatic pipeline for imagery and samples of megafauna from the entire CCZ, (2) the identification and characterization of megafaunal morphotypes observed across the CCZ regardless of exploration contract area and (3), development of biodiversity survey methods based on organismal DNA found in the environment (metabarcoding). This project will include knowledge transfers between the host and experienced researcher in the following areas: bioinformatics, digitisation, image analysis, megafauna taxonomy, DNA barcoding, metagenomics and transferable skills such as project management, scientific communication including science-policy interface work, laboratory health and safety, and career planning.

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2016

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Coordinator

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
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.

€ 183 454,80
Address
CROMWELL ROAD
SW7 5BD London
United Kingdom

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Region
London Inner London — West Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham
Activity type
Public bodies (excluding Research Organisations and Secondary or Higher Education Establishments)
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 183 454,80
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