Description
The BioEco Workshops and Mapping Initiative represents a coordinated effort to enhance the BioEco Essential Ocean Variable (EOV) observing networks across Europe. Through a series of workshops and extensive mapping exercises, stakeholders aim to identify gaps, streamline best practices, and foster connections across the BioEco observing landscape in the EU.
Impact During the Project
Holistic Visualization and Gap Identification:
Traditional State: In the absence of a coordinated mapping initiative, gaps in marine monitoring might go unnoticed or unaddressed, leading to fragmented data and insights.
Advancement: This initiative provides a visualization tool that not only captures data but also tracks user engagement. It empowers key committees like the EOOS Operations Committee and the European Commission to effectively identify gaps in marine monitoring.
Standardization and Interconnection:
Traditional State: Different EU BioEco observing entities might operate in isolation, each adhering to their methodologies without a standardized approach.
Advancement: The initiative promotes the development of best practices and encourages connections across the EU BioEco observing landscape. It also actively identifies key monitoring program leads in Europe to facilitate coordinated efforts.
Impact Post Project
Expanded BioEco Network Coverage:
Traditional State: Without a concerted effort to identify and address gaps, certain regions might remain underserved or overlooked in terms of BioEco network coverage.
Advancement: By leveraging insights from the visualization tool and feedback from the workshops, there’s a strategic push to increase BioEco network coverage, especially in regions where gaps have been previously identified.
Alignment with International Standards:
Traditional State: Before this initiative, there might have been a lack of alignment between regional BioEco efforts and overarching international indicators such as the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).
Advancement: This initiative not only enhances BioEco networks but also ensures that they are aligned and aware of MSFD and other relevant international indicators.
Advancement over and above State of the Art
The BioEco Workshops and Mapping Initiative represents a paradigm shift in how BioEco EOV observing networks are perceived, organized, and enhanced in Europe. Moving away from isolated efforts, the initiative seeks to provide a consolidated platform that fosters collaboration, standardization, and strategic expansion.
The immediate impacts in terms of visualization and standardized best practices set the stage for long-term advancements, including expanded network coverage that fills identified gaps. Furthermore, by aligning with international indicators, the initiative ensures that regional efforts resonate on a global scale, making Europe’s BioEco observations more robust, integrated, and impactful.
Links and References
Link to D1.2 – Map of BioEco Networks: https://eurosea.eu/download/eurosea_d1-2_bioeco_observing_networks_v07_resubmitted/?wpdmdl=5500&refresh=650197c36aebc1694603203
Link to D1.4 – Report on EU BioEco Networks: https://eurosea.eu/download/eurosea_d1-4_report_european_bioeco_observing_system_reformatted-2/?wpdmdl=5504&refresh=650197c3dc80d1694603203
