A blueprint for integrating scientific approaches and international communities to assess basin-wide ocean ecosystem status

Type Article
Date 2023-01
Language English
Author(s) Roberts J. MurrayORCID1, Devey Colin W.2, Biastoch ArneORCID2, Carreiro-Silva Marina3, Dohna Tina4, Dorschel BorisORCID5, Gunn Vikki6, Huvenne Veerle A. I.7, Johnson David6, Jollivet Didier8, Kenchington EllenORCID9, Larkin Kate10, 11, Matabos MarjolaineORCID12, Morato Telmo3, Naumann Malik S.4, Orejas Covadonga13, 14, Perez J. Angel A.ORCID15, Ragnarsson Stefán Á.16, Smit Albertus J.17, Sweetman Andrew18, Unger Sebastian19, Boteler Benjamin19, Henry Lea-Anne1
Affiliation(s) 1 : Changing Oceans Group, School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, James Hutton Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FE, UK
2 : GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel and Christian-Albrechts-University, Kiel, Germany
3 : OKEANOS, Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
4 : PANGAEA, MARUM – Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, Mary-Somerville-Straße 2-4, D-28359, Bremen, Germany
5 : Alfred Wegener Institute, Van Ronzelen Str. 2, 27568, Bremerhaven, Germany
6 : Seascape Consultants Ltd, The Old Stable, Church Lane, Romsey, UK
7 : Ocean Biogeosciences, National Oceanography Centre, European Way, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, UK
8 : CNRS/Sorbonne Université, Station Biologique de Roscoff, Place Georges Teissier, 29680, Roscoff, France
9 : Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, 1 Challenger Drive, Dartmouth, NS, B2Y 4A2, Canada
10 : Seascape Belgium bvba, Kindermansstraat 14 bus 19, 1000, Brussels, Belgium
11 : European Marine Observation and Data network (EMODnet) Secretariat, Jacobsenstraat 1, 8400, Oostende, Belgium
12 : Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Ifremer, CNRS, Unité BEEP, F-29280, Plouzané, France
13 : Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Gijón (IEO, CSIC), Avenida Príncipe de Asturias 70 bis, 33212, Gijón, Spain
14 : Hanse Wissenschaftskolleg - Institute for Advanced Study (HWK), Lehmkuhlenbusch 4, Delmenhorst, Germany
15 : Centro de Ciências Tecnológicas da Terra e do Mar, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí, Rua Uruguai, 458, Itajaí, 88302-901, SC, Brazil
16 : Marine and Freshwater Research Institute, Fornubúðum 5, 220, Hafnarfjörður, Iceland
17 : Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, 7535, South Africa
18 : Deep-Sea Ecology and Biogeochemistry Group, The Lyell Centre for Earth and Marine Science and Technology, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, EH14 4AP, UK
19 : Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies, Berliner Strasse 130, D-14467, Potsdam, Germany
Source Communications Earth & Environment (2662-4435) (Springer Science and Business Media LLC), 2023-01 , Vol. 4 , N. 1 , P. 12 (9p.)
DOI 10.1038/s43247-022-00645-w
WOS© Times Cited 4
Abstract

Ocean ecosystems are at the forefront of the climate and biodiversity crises, yet we lack a unified approach to assess their state and inform sustainable policies. This blueprint is designed around research capabilities and cross-sectoral partnerships. We highlight priorities including integrating basin-scale observation, modelling and genomic approaches to understand Atlantic oceanography and ecosystem connectivity; improving ecosystem mapping; identifying potential tipping points in deep and open ocean ecosystems; understanding compound impacts of multiple stressors including warming, acidification and deoxygenation; enhancing spatial and temporal management and protection. We argue that these goals are best achieved through partnerships with policy-makers and community stakeholders, and promoting research groups from the South Atlantic through investment and engagement. Given the high costs of such research (€800k to €1.7M per expedition and €30–40M for a basin-scale programme), international cooperation and funding are integral to supporting science-led policies to conserve ocean ecosystems that transcend jurisdictional borders.

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Roberts J. Murray, Devey Colin W., Biastoch Arne, Carreiro-Silva Marina, Dohna Tina, Dorschel Boris, Gunn Vikki, Huvenne Veerle A. I., Johnson David, Jollivet Didier, Kenchington Ellen, Larkin Kate, Matabos Marjolaine, Morato Telmo, Naumann Malik S., Orejas Covadonga, Perez J. Angel A., Ragnarsson Stefán Á., Smit Albertus J., Sweetman Andrew, Unger Sebastian, Boteler Benjamin, Henry Lea-Anne (2023). A blueprint for integrating scientific approaches and international communities to assess basin-wide ocean ecosystem status. Communications Earth & Environment, 4(1), 12 (9p.). Publisher's official version : https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-022-00645-w , Open Access version : https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00817/92907/