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European marine research community calls for increased monitoring to improve ocean observations

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European ocean researchers are calling for urgent improvements and standardization of ocean monitoring. This call also extends to the international community, which gathers in Baku from today (11 November) for the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP29.

To protect the ocean as a partner in the fight against climate change, comprehensive monitoring of its condition is essential. This is the message of two reports that not only describe the main gaps and challenges in Europe, but also outline solutions to improve ocean monitoring and protection.

The paper published in Frontiers in Marine Science is the result of the EU project EuroSea, coordinated by the GEOMAR Helmholtz Center for Marine Research in Kiel, Germany.

A healthy ocean is the basis for many of the elements that make up our lives. It provides us with oxygen and food, provides habitat for countless species, and acts as a buffer against climate change by absorbing large amounts of carbon dioxide and excess heat.

However, the ocean faces serious threats. Pollution, acidification, overfishing, and increasing global warming are undermining our ability to stabilize our climate. Therefore, to protect the ocean as a climate partner, it is essential to monitor its condition as comprehensively and effectively as possible.

Ocean observation gaps: technical and financial shortfalls

Members of the EU project EuroSea reviewed ocean observations in Europe. Their two recent reports, “Urgent gaps and recommendations for implementation during the United Nations Ocean Decade” and “Towards a sustainable and fit-for-purpose European ocean observation and forecasting system,” We identify key gaps in diversity, invasive species and marine life monitoring. oceanic phenomena such as global warming and sea level rise; Many of these gaps are due to technical flaws or lack of funding.

“More sustainable and effective ocean observation systems are urgently needed to track changes in ocean conditions and reduce the effects of climate change,” said Kiel, a chemical oceanographer at the GEOMAR Helmholtz Center for Marine Research. said leader Dr. Toste Tanfa. Based on the report of the recently completed EU project EuroSea.

He himself is attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP29 in Baku, which begins today, and is lending his voice to the issue of ocean observation at the international level. At the Ocean Pavilion, where GEOMAR is a partner this year, there will be a panel discussion about the participation of non-scientific actors, such as sailors, in ocean observations.

In their opinion, the scientists emphasize the need to improve data collection, use innovative technologies such as environmental DNA (eDNA) and more autonomous devices, and strengthen international cooperation. A key recommendation is to secure long-term funding and establish a central coordinating body to ensure the long-term effectiveness of ocean observations.

“The recommendations we jointly developed are aimed at the scientific community as well as policy makers and industry,” says Dr. Tanhua. “The challenges are great, but the solutions we propose provide a clear course of action. We need to generate as much information as possible to better understand and protect marine ecosystems.”

“This is a critical component in efforts to mitigate the climate crisis. Observations alone cannot reduce the effects of climate change, but they do allow us to understand and suggest appropriate countermeasures. After all, you can only control what you can measure!” ”

Recommended actions to improve ocean observations

For example, the report recommends the development of a comprehensive program to monitor marine biodiversity. In particular, the use of innovative technologies such as eDNA could help detect invasive species earlier and improve data collection.

We need to increase the use of autonomous devices (e.g. Argo floats and sensors) to validate data from satellites and improve deep ocean observations. This is especially important in extremely cold regions that are difficult to access.

Furthermore, there is a need to develop common means to monitor eutrophication indicators, such as nutrient concentrations and oxygen levels, to better monitor and reduce the negative impacts of human activities on the marine environment.

The use of autonomous sensors should be promoted in areas with high nutrient inputs. These systems will enable continuous monitoring of algal blooms and ocean acidification.

The report also calls for increased cooperation between countries and stakeholders to harmonize monitoring strategies and facilitate data sharing.

Recommendations for coordinating and managing ocean observations

Strengthening cooperation between different countries and stakeholders is recommended to harmonize monitoring strategies and facilitate data exchange. Coordination requires a single organization responsible for the management and strategic planning of ocean observing activities. This structure fosters efficiency and fosters cooperation across countries and sectors.

To make ocean observation systems sustainable and able to be continuously updated, funding strategies for long-term observation programs need to be developed. “Our research funding structure supports knowledge generation, but not monitoring,” explains Dr. Abed el-Rahman Hassoun, lead author of the initial position paper.

“Closing this gap requires cross-sectoral cooperation and joint funding between different ministries. This is a problem we see not only in Germany but also in other EU countries.”

Further information: Abed El Rahman Hassoun et al, European Ocean Observation Community: Urgent gaps and recommendations to be implemented during the United Nations Ocean Decade, Frontiers in Marine Science (2024). DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2024.1394984

Toste Tanhua et al., “Towards a sustainable and fit-for-purpose European ocean observation and prediction system,” Frontiers in Marine Science (2024). DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2024.1394549

Provided by Helmholtz German Research Center Association

Citation: European ocean research community calls for increased monitoring to improve ocean observations (11 November 2024) https://phys.org/news/2024-11-european-ocean-community. Retrieved November 11, 2024 from html

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