Joint European Research Infrastructure of Coastal Observatories: Science, Service, Sustainability - JERICO-S3

Project Information

JERICO-S3

Grant agreement ID: 871153

DOI

10.3030/871153

Project closed

EC signature date 6 February 2020

Start date 1 February 2020

End date 31 July 2024

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Research Infrastructures

Total cost

€ 9 999 933,96

EU contribution

€ 9 999 933,55

Coordinated by

INSTITUT FRANCAIS DE RECHERCHE POUR L'EXPLOITATION DE LA MER
France

Periodic Reporting for period 3 - JERICO-S3 (Joint European Research Infrastructure of Coastal Observatories: Science, Service, Sustainability - JERICO-S3)

Reporting period: 2023-02-01 to 2024-07-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

JERICO-S3, Joint European Research Infrastructure for Coastal Observatories - Sciences, Services and Sustainability, provides a state-of-the-art, fit-for-purpose and visionary observational research infrastructure supporting world-class research and high-impact innovation.

JERICO-S3 aims to provide a structured European Research Infrastructure of Coastal Observatories by gathering the expertise of the coastal scientific community, defining a common scientific strategy and delivering top-level services to scientists and society alike.

JERICO-S3 outcomes will bring important pillars for JERICO applying to the upcoming 2026 ESFRI ROADMAP. Thanks to the work dedicated to regionalization, the preparation and planning of JERICO during the upcoming ESFRI Preparatory and Implementation phases will be well-defined. The integration of JERICO at the European level is now much more solid thanks to the numerous memoranda of collaboration that were established with the other European Research Infrastructures dedicated to the marine and environmental domain. The science strategy was consolidated, taking into account Pilot Super Sites and Integrated Regional Sites outcomes. The Vision, Mission, and values of JERICO were updated after thorough considerations. Harmonisation of practices were performed for specific elements of the integrated multiplatform and multidisciplinary coastal observing system. JERICO-S3 demonstrated the great interest shown in the services provided by JERICO, according to the Transnational Access projects that were quite successful, and to the technological development demonstrations that illustrated the potential for JERICO to consolidate European competitiveness in the blue economy domain.

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

The work performed during the project is organised according to five main axes:

Axis 1: Integrating and improving access to coastal data flow and observatories, and strengthening the coastal community and services.
In total, 39 projects were supported by the JERICO TA program. Open access VA was supported by 20 partners.
The science strategy pushes for harmonisation and integration to support data flows (D1.5) which is also compounded by the Data Management Plan (D6.12). WP6 has promoted the uptake of harmonised biological data, previously considered as challenging due to the lack of standardised developments and practices.
WP9 contributed to improve the accessibility to Products and Services by defining a comprehensive User Strategy. It will include a feedback loop based on regular assessments so as to optimally tailor services provision.

Axis 2: Developing and testing innovative monitoring strategies and technology
A dashboard was discussed to evaluate Readiness Levels for JERICO platforms and technologies. IRSs and PSSs continued to update observation strategies in relation to JERICO KSCs. PSSs were used to test new technologies aimed at phytoplankton, carbonate system, river-sea interfaces and hydrodynamics: three devices (PSP, ACOBS & WASP) underwent successful field testing. The cEGIM platform was adapted for real-time analysis and exploitation of data.

Axis 3: Promoting harmonisation and seamless interface with open sea and riverine/terrestrial Infrastructures
D1.5 underlined the need for collaboration and interoperability with other RIs. Common needs between RIs were identified for the future.
WP2 deepened relationships with the surrounding RIs of interest, with MoCs when possible.
D9.6 framed the collaborative actions of JERICO with other Ocean-Observing bodies of global scale.
Surrounding RIs of interest were identified as a Core target Audience, and specific communication tools and activities were proposed in D10.4.

Axis 4: Fostering societal impacts through synergies with European and international initiatives
Collaborations with RIs, management bodies and industrial partners were further developed within WP2. TA calls were distributed to other RIs by WP10 to support engagement.
In WP4, actions done in PSSs were tailored individually according to regional networks and stakeholders. They were a framework for thematic and interdisciplinary collaboration.
WP9 defined an overarching collaboration framework aimed at users of all categories (D9.2) at other RIs (D9.6) and at other nations (D9.7).

Axis 5: Strategy and sustainability
WP1 through D1.5 ensured that JERICO will implement a multi-platform approach that satisfies current requirements of service provision and central actions, while D1.4 elaborated a prospective analysis of future needs.
WP2 clarified the role of JERICO in support of a coastal EDITO, and worked with CMEMS to identify its expectations. A cooperation framework with blue economy industries in Europe was discussed with Kongsberg Discovery and the IOC.
WP6 improved data FAIRness and management to increase the uptake of observations by data aggregators, ultimately favouring outreach to the public and to private sectors. A set of Key Exploitable Results was defined to support sustainability, and Core Target Audiences were identified.
WP9 refined the governance of JERICO in D9.4. The User Engagement Strategy (D9.2) has been defined as an ever-adapting process, guaranteeing the continued relevance of the RI. Finally, the Business Plan (D9.3) encompasses various economical aspects that are, by definition, crucial for the credibility and sustainability of JERICO.

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)

WP1, Provision of recommendations for the implementation of new technologies, refinement of regional structuring, and definition of a Science Strategy including a prospective analysis.

WP2, The shared proposals established with other RIs were successful. MoCs were written with 4 RIs and await signatures.

WP3, Outcomes include the harmonisation of plankton, chlorophyll-A, carbonate system and CDOM observations, of glider operations, and include transboundary capacities for coastal risks, cross-order collaboration efforts, and integration of data from multiple observing platforms, for several RIs.

WP4, PSSs led to better regional scientific cooperation and integration of activities. The value of transnational, multi-platform sampling strategies to answer common needs was shown. Observation gaps were accurately established.

WP5, A collaboration with OBPS led to the publication of an article on ocean practices. A description of homogenisation tools for observing platforms, the definition of best practices for biological sensors and of technical recommendations for integration were provided.

WP6, An optimised Data Management Plan was produced, as its early implementation led to identify gaps.

WP7, Three devices underwent successful trials: the PSP for real-time plankton monitoring, the ACOBS for benthic processes monitoring, and the WASP for automated eDNA collection.

WP8, Of the 4 TA calls, 39 projects and 126 users were supported, generating positive feedback.

WP9, A User Strategy was defined, and a Business Plan was established to frame future services with an accordingly adaptable governance. Key relationships with mandatory RIs and entities were mapped, in particular EOOS.

WP10, Communication was done for the promotion of VAs, TAs, PSS activities, and engagement and collaborations with other RIs. Social followers and website traffic increased.

WP11, Resulting recommendations from VA assessments are bound to strengthen outreach strategies, and to diversify user engagement metrics to deepen our understanding of services’ utilisation.

JOINT EUROPEAN RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE FOR COASTAL OBSERVATORIES