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Marine Biodiversity: a Science Roadmap for Europe II Marine Biodiversity: a Science Roadmap for Europe

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Marine Biodiversity: a Science Roadmap for Europe II Marine Biodiversity: a Science Roadmap for Europe marine board future science brief #1 Marine Biodiversity: A Science Roadmap for Europe II marine biodiversity: a science roadmap for europe European Marine Board The Marine Board provides a pan-European platform for its member organizations to develop common priorities, to advance marine research, and to bridge the gap between science and policy in order to meet future marine science challenges and opportunities. The Marine Board was established in 1995 to facilitate enhanced cooperation be- tween European marine science organizations towards the development of a com- mon vision on the research priorities and strategies for marine science in Europe. Members are either major national marine or oceanographic institutes, research funding agencies, or national consortia of universities with a strong marine re- search focus. In 2012, the Marine Board represents 34 Member Organizations from 20 countries. The Board provides the essential components for transferring knowl- edge for leadership in marine research in Europe. Adopting a strategic role, the Ma- rine Board serves its member organizations by providing a forum within which ma- rine research policy advice to national agencies and to the European Commission is developed, with the objective of promoting the establishment of the European Marine Research Area. www.marineboard.eu Authors: C. Heip & N. McDonough Additional contribution from: K. Gjerde Infoboxes: J.B. Calewaert, K. Larkin and N. McDonough Additional editorial comments: F. Boero and J. Mees The content of this document has been subject to internal review, editorial support and approval by the Marine Board member organizations (shown on the back cover). External Review by: Kristina M. Gjerde Senior High Seas Advisor IUCN Global Marine and Polar Programme Paul Snelgrove Canada Research Chair in Boreal and Cold Ocean Systems Ocean Sciences Centre and Biology Department Memorial University of Newfoundland Suggested reference: Heip, C. and McDonough, N. (2012). Marine Biodiversity: A Science Roadmap for Europe. Marine Board Future Science Brief 1, European Marine Board, Ostend, Belgium. ISBN: 978-2-918428-75-6. Cover images: Marine diatom, Phaeodactylum tricornutum © Jean-Paul Cadoret, IFREMER Crustacean larva © Sardet, C., CNRS/Tara Expedition NOC biologist at work © Tammy Horton, NOC Marine algae in a tidal pool © Jonas Collen A diver examines marine life in the waters off the Azores © Frederico Cardigos Sabellid polychaete worm © Jorge Fontes, ImagDOP Common seal © Bas Korman, Seamarco Sand mason, Lanice conchilega © VLIZ / Misjesl Decleer marine biodiversity: a science roadmap for europe 1 Foreword Kostas Nittis Chair, European Marine Board It is now more than a decade since the Marine Board published two related science policy papers on the subject of marine biodiversity 1. There has followed a period of significant progress and advancement in biodiversity knowledge and research capacity. Notable initiatives included the EU FP6-funded Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning (MarBEF) Network of Excellence and the global Census of Marine Life programme, both of which significantly improved the interaction and coordination among a global community of marine biodiversity researchers. Some suggest that we are in a truly golden age of ocean discovery. However, we must equally struggle with the reality that the seas and oceans, and the enor- mous diversity of life which they contain, are under significant threat from climate change, ocean acidification, and from numerous and increasing human impacts. In 2010, the Marine Board members decided that it was timely to reassess both the state of our marine biodiversity knowledge, and the implications of a changing bio- diversity for the health of our marine environments and for human well-being. In light of a complex landscape of policies, directives and international conventions, it was also considered important to examine how research findings are being used to inform evidence-based policy making and effective management actions. This is the first in a new series of Marine Board science policy documents called Future Science Briefs. Future Science Briefs are designed to be consider- ably shorter than standard Marine Board position papers. However, the purpose is the same: to inform European science agendas, while placing the European re- search effort in a global context. In this paper we take an objective look at recent achievements and, more importantly, at the gaps which remain in our knowledge and understanding of marine biodiversity. We set out a roadmap for future marine biodiversity and related research in Europe which includes both high-level research priorities, and recommendations for supporting actions addressing issues such as biological observation and human capacities. The core message of this document is that despite the significant progress made and the considerable funding targeted at marine biodiversity research in the 2000’s, we are still a very long way from a true knowledge of the extent and nature of biodiversity in the seas and oceans, its fundamental role in the functioning of marine ecosystems, and of the implications for humans of a changing biodiversity. For this reason, European biodiversity research and observation needs continued support to address critical knowledge gaps, but also to ensure that the EU and Eu- ropean nations can meet both internal biodiversity targets, and the requirements of key global conventions on biodiversity and sustainable development. Although many people gave generously of their time and expertise in the production of this document, I would like to pay particular tribute to Professor Carlo Heip, who has led this Marine Board initiative since its inception. Carlo was also the lead author of the two earlier Marine Board documents, and coordinated 1 the formative MarBEF Network of Excellence. I extend sincere thanks to Carlo for A European Science Plan on Marine his dedication and leadership in once again charting a course for marine biodiver- Biodiversity (1998); Establishing a Framework for the sity research in Europe for the years to come. Perhaps in a decade from now we will Implementation of Marine Biodiversity be able to reflect that this truly is a golden age of ocean discovery. Research in Europe (2000). marine biodiversity: a science roadmap for europe 3 Table of Contents 1 What is biodiversity? 5 2 Why do we need knowledge of marine biodiversity? 6 3 What is the purpose of this document? 6 4 What do we already know about marine biodiversity? 7 5 What are the gaps in our knowledge of marine biodiversity? 12 6 What tools do we need to support marine biodiversity science? 17 7 The science-policy interface 21 8 A roadmap for European marine biodiversity science 25 Ten Research Priorities Six Strategic Recommendations 9 References 29 10 List of Abbreviations 30 4 marine biodiversity: a science roadmap for europe marine biodiversity: a science roadmap for europe 5 Key Message In the past ten years, Europe has made significant progress in marine biodiversity research and knowledge generation owing to strong support, funding, and coordination of research effort. However, there is still a major knowledge deficit and many of the important programmes and initiatives which have driven this progress have now ended. While biodiversity policy has also advanced, Europe has failed to achieve the biodiversity targets it has set itself. To meet these targets, effective science-based decisions and management will be necessary. This requires good science, strong European re- search collaboration, enhanced observing and research capacities, and effective science-policy interfaces. 1 What is biodiversity? According to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), biodiversity is defined as: “the variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems, and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems.” Biodiversity thus encompasses genetic diversity, species richness and habi- tat heterogeneity. The three components are linked; genes and species obviously so but also species and habitats, as species often create habitats. The Mediterranean seagrass, Posidonia oceanica © David Balata Left page A deep sea Acorn worm or Enteropneust of the phylum Hemichordata. © David Shale. 6 marine biodiversity: a science roadmap for europe 2 Why do we need knowledge of marine biodiversity? Marine biodiversity is changing rapidly as a result of natural and human pressures. Such change can lead to environmental, economic and, ultimately, so- cial problems, but also to new opportunities for people and industry. Biodiversity underpins the health of the oceans and their productive ecosystems which, in turn, support sustainable fisheries and provide enormous possibilities for new biotech- nological applications. To explore, conserve, and make better use of marine biodi- versity, we need a deeper understanding of its origin, its composition and its role in ecosystem functioning. We also need improved approaches and tools to monitor and quantify marine biodiversity and to better inform policy makers and the public on its value in environmental, social (including cultural) and economic terms. 3 What is the purpose of this document? Significant progress has been made in recent years to improve our knowl- edge of marine biodiversity, its role in ecosystem functioning and its connection to societal well-being.
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