Benthos Ecology Working Group (BEWG) focuses primarily on benthic long-term series and cli-mate change, benthic indicators, species distribution modelling, the link between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning and the role of benthos within MPAs.
The group continued to provide insights on the field of applied benthic ecology, with main em-phasis on:
•Long-term series and climate change, considering the methodological aspects of time-series;
•Participating on existing initiatives related to benthic ecology (e.g. long-term series, bi-ological traits) being developed under ongoing programmes (e.g. EMODnet biology);
•Developing applied exercises with regards to species distribution modelling and map-ping;
•Reviewing relevant literature to report on the linkages between ecosystem biodiversityand functioning;
•Developments in effective monitoring programmes (including design, harmonisationand quality assessments);
•Understanding benthic biodiversity and conservation under the role of MPAs;
•Evaluating the appropriateness of benthic indicators for ecosystem quality assessment;
•Providing input and reviewing the state and/or trends of the benthic communities/hab-itats in support of the ICES Ecosystem Overviews.
Seven ongoing initiatives are under development:
•Case study: “The value of long-term time-series: bringing the science to support man-agement decisions”
•Case study: “Interregional comparison of benthic ecosystem functioning: communitybioturbation potential in four regions along the NE Atlantic shelf”
•Case study: “Variability in expert assessment of benthic species tolerances /sensitivi-ties”
•Case study: “Changes in functional composition along sediment gradients”
•Case study: “To identify the links between benthic functions and ecosystems services”
•Case study: “Meeting benthic functional indicator needs of the MSFD”
•Case study: “A benthic ecology perspective for evaluating the effectiveness of MPA’s”