A marine biodiversity observation network for genetic monitoring of hard-bottom communities (ARMS-MBON)

Marine hard-bottom communities are undergoing severe change under the influence of multiple drivers, notably climate change, extraction of natural resources, pollution and eutrophication, habitat degradation, and invasive species. Monitoring marine biodiversity in such habitats is, however, challenging as it typically involves expensive, non-standardized, and often destructive sampling methods that limit its scalability. Differences in monitoring approaches furthermore hinders inter-comparison among monitoring programs. Here, we announce a Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON) consisting of Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS) with the aim to assess the status and changes in benthic fauna with genomic-based methods, notably DNA metabarcoding, in combination with image-based identifications. This article presents the results of a 30-month pilot phase in which we established an operational and geographically expansive ARMS-MBON. The network currently consists of 20 observatories distributed across European coastal waters and the polar regions, in which 134 ARMS have been deployed to date. Sampling takes place annually, either as short-term deployments during the summer or as long-term deployments starting in spring. The pilot phase was used to establish a common set of standards for field sampling, genetic analysis, data management, and legal compliance, which are presented here. We also tested the potential of ARMS for combining genetic and image-based identification methods in comparative studies of benthic diversity, as well as for detecting non-indigenous species. Results show that ARMS are suitable for monitoring hard-bottom environments as they provide genetic data that can be continuously enriched, re-analyzed, and integrated with conventional data to document benthic community composition and detect non-indigenous species. Finally, we provide guidelines to expand the network and present a sustainability plan as part of the European Marine Biological Resource Centre (www.embrc.eu).Peer reviewe

Prioritizing action for recovery and conservation of marine species:a case study based on species of conservation importance around England

A method is described and tested for identifying and prioritizing actions to facilitate recovery (restoration) and/or conservation (maintenance) of populations of threatened marine species. The exercise was based on established approaches for terrestrial species and on assessing each species according to degree of threat and recovery/conservation potential. Assessment of both degree of threat and recovery/conservation potential was informed by researching the relevant life-history traits of each species and existing knowledge of natural fluctuations in abundance. Rarity was a key consideration in assessing degree of threat but rarity measures for cetaceans and pelagic fishes were not available and a new methodology was therefore developed. Likely actions for maintenance or recovery of a population of a species were specified under the headings: Site Management, Translocation, Enforcement, Research, Monitoring and Wider Environment. The recovery/conservation goal for each species was identified according to SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-bound) criteria. The terrestrial approach transferred well to marine species but with some adaptation as the marine environment is different to terrestrial ecosystems in the pressures and activities that are likely to adversely affect species, to our knowledge of decline in species and to the ecological processes that are likely to aid recovery. The species researched are prioritized for action according to degree of threat and recovery/conservation potential. Recovery/conservation goals are specified and the reasons for proposed actions are explained. Identifying measures for recovery or conservation was often difficult because the cause of decline or the threats to species were unknown or unclear. Better collation of relevant information would create a stronger evidence base, assist the provision of better advice, and therefore support better decision-making by managers. Application of the methodology to other marine species of conservation concern in a particular biogeographical or administrative area needs more meaningful lists than are currently used of species that are rare, scarce, in decline or threatened with decline. Copyright (C) 2012 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.</p

Prioritizing action for recovery and conservation of marine species:a case study based on species of conservation importance around England

A method is described and tested for identifying and prioritizing actions to facilitate recovery (restoration) and/or conservation (maintenance) of populations of threatened marine species. The exercise was based on established approaches for terrestrial species and on assessing each species according to degree of threat and recovery/conservation potential. Assessment of both degree of threat and recovery/conservation potential was informed by researching the relevant life-history traits of each species and existing knowledge of natural fluctuations in abundance. Rarity was a key consideration in assessing degree of threat but rarity measures for cetaceans and pelagic fishes were not available and a new methodology was therefore developed. Likely actions for maintenance or recovery of a population of a species were specified under the headings: Site Management, Translocation, Enforcement, Research, Monitoring and Wider Environment. The recovery/conservation goal for each species was identified according to SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-bound) criteria. The terrestrial approach transferred well to marine species but with some adaptation as the marine environment is different to terrestrial ecosystems in the pressures and activities that are likely to adversely affect species, to our knowledge of decline in species and to the ecological processes that are likely to aid recovery. The species researched are prioritized for action according to degree of threat and recovery/conservation potential. Recovery/conservation goals are specified and the reasons for proposed actions are explained. Identifying measures for recovery or conservation was often difficult because the cause of decline or the threats to species were unknown or unclear. Better collation of relevant information would create a stronger evidence base, assist the provision of better advice, and therefore support better decision-making by managers. Application of the methodology to other marine species of conservation concern in a particular biogeographical or administrative area needs more meaningful lists than are currently used of species that are rare, scarce, in decline or threatened with decline. Copyright (C) 2012 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.</p

The role of the marine research infrastructures in the European marine observation landscape: present and future perspectives

The ocean regulates the exchange, storage of carbon dioxide, plays a key role in global control of Earth climate and life, absorbs most of the heat excess from greenhouse gas emissions and provides a remarkable number of resources for the human being. Most of the geo-hazards occur in oceanic areas. Thus, high-quality systematic observations are necessary tools for improving our understanding, and subsequent assimilation to provide early warning systems. A holistic scientific approach for the understanding of the ocean’s interrelated processes requires coordinated and complementary monitoring and observation programmes. Research Infrastructures (RIs) are large-scale facilities that provide resources and services for the scientific communities to conduct high-level research and foster innovation. RIs benefit from strong governance and multi-annual funding from their member states with operational life spans in decades. RIs promote knowledge, outreach and education to public, private, and policy stakeholders, and they play a key role in enabling and developing research in all scientific domains and currently represent a growing share of coordinated investment in research, and also in providing essential observations to operational services such as Copernicus. They are strategically important for Europe to lead a global movement towards a data-driven, interconnected, open digital twin that brings together different disciplines, clean technologies, public and private sectors and a broad scientific/technological community, as well as education and training. In Europe several marine RIs have been established, which are maintained by national and European Union (EU) resources. The aims of these infrastructures are aligned with the key priorities of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development; and with the new European Research Area (ERA) Policy Agenda annexed to the Council conclusions on the ERA governance1, which set out 20 concrete actions for 2022-2024 to contribute to the priority areas defined in the EU Pact for R&I2. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that the combined expertise and assets of Europe’s marine RIs can form a comprehensive and holistic framework for long-term, sustainable integrated marine observation. Through this integration process the marine RIs can become better and better a significant pillar of the European Ocean Observing System (EOOS). Such a framework must be built as part of interfaces of interaction and promote not only scientific excellence but also innovation at all levels

High activity and Levy searches : jellyfish can search the water column like fish

Over-fishing may lead to a decrease in fish abundance and a proliferation of jellyfish. Active movements and prey search might be thought to provide a competitive advantage for fish, but here we use data-loggers to show that the frequently occurring coastal jellyfish (Rhizostoma octopus) does not simply passively drift to encounter prey. Jellyfish (327 days of data from 25 jellyfish with depth collected every 1 min) showed very dynamic vertical movements, with their integrated vertical movement averaging 619.2 m d&minus;1, more than 60 times the water depth where they were tagged. The majority of movement patterns were best approximated by exponential models describing normal random walks. However, jellyfish also showed switching behaviour from exponential patterns to patterns best fitted by a truncated L&eacute;vy distribution with exponents (mean &mu; = 1.96, range 1.2&ndash;2.9) close to the theoretical optimum for searching for sparse prey (&mu;opt &asymp; 2.0). Complex movements in these &lsquo;simple&rsquo; animals may help jellyfish to compete effectively with fish for plankton prey, which may enhance their ability to increase in dominance in perturbed ocean systems

The Marine Research Infrastructures in the European Marine Observation landscape

The ocean takes up approximately 25% of the carbon dioxide that humans emit to the atmosphere, it absorbs most of the excess heat trapped in the Earth system by greenhouse gas emissions, thus regulating climate and life on Earth, and also provides a remarkable number of resources for humanity. Most geo-hazards occur in oceanic areas. High-quality systematic ocean observations are necessary to improvour knowledge and understanding of the complex environmental processes and to serve as early warning systems of great socio-economic impact. Research Infrastructures (RIs) are large-scale facilities that provide resources and services for scientific communities to conduct high-level research and foster innovation. RIs promote knowledge, outreach and education to public, private, and policy stakeholders, as well as providing crucial information to operational services such as Copernicus. In Europe several marine RIs have been established, which are maintained by national and European Union (EU) resources. This paper describes the significance of the marine RIs in the European Marine Observation Landscape, their status in terms of cooperation, coordination and integration. It highlights the socio-economic benefits for this integration process, being a significant pillar of the European Ocean Observing System (EOOS)Peer reviewe

European Marine Omics Biodiversity Observation Network (EMO BON) Handbook

The European Marine Omics Biodiversity Observation Network (EMO BON) is a European initiative from the European Marine Biological Resource Centre (EMBRC) to establish a coordinated, long-term biodiversity observatory. Currently there are many ongoing genomic observation stations in Europe. The goal for EMO BON is to support the individual marine biodiversity observatories within EMBRC and connect them under one centrally coordinated network, with shared protocols, data, and metadata standards. EMBRC provides the context and opportunity for partner institutions to participate and complement EMO BON by initiating biodiversity observation stations. EMO BON includes marine stations from Polar regions to the Red Sea that will sample for genomic marine biodiversity at frequent intervals. This network will contribute to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and aims to be an important European component to the global ocean observation networks.Collection of marine water, sediment and organisms will take place at the EMBRC participating observatory stations according to the protocols described in this document – the EMO BON Handbook – setting a minimum standard for participation to the network. DNA extraction and sequencing will be performed at a centralised facility to reduce biases and ensure consistency in the high-quality of sequencing. The data generated within this initiative will follow the FAIR data principles. The life cycle of the EMO BON data will be described in detail in the EMO BON Data Management Plan. Overall, EMBRC aims to build a long-term genomic observatory, generating cost-effective, high-quality, baseline genomic biodiversity data that will be produced in the long term.This Handbook contains all the guidelines and procedures from sampling to sequencing that will be followed within EMO BON. The purpose of this document is not only to ensure the rigorous adhesion to the appropriate protocols within EMO BON, but also to provide all the necessary information to potential external participants from the wider scientific community

The European Marine Biological Research Infrastructure Cluster: An Alliance of European Research Infrastructures to Promote the Blue Bioeconomy

International audienc

The European Marine Biological Research Infrastructure Cluster: An Alliance of European Research Infrastructures to Promote the Blue Bioeconomy

International audienc