WP1
End-user needs and project co-creation

This WP will identify, discuss the key needs, and capture the insights, of marine biodiversity spatial planning users. This constituted user forum will include not only managing and policy-designing users regularly working with biodiversity data for regulatory needs, but also NGO and industry stakeholders who have to use information generate from this data. This user forum will co-create with partners indicators, scenarios and decision-support tools, and focus on case studies. The user forum will not only co-design and co-create the key outputs of this project, it will also be involved in their co-dissemination.

D1.1 Description of user forum

D1.2 Barriers to biodiversity conservation and information needs including dimensions to include in indicators

D1.3 Co-creating monitoring tools and scenarios for marine biodiversity

WP2
Data integration and harmonization

The aim of WP2 is to further the harmonisation, mobilisation, and uptake of available monitoring and environmental data forming the basis to better characterise and understand the status and cumulative pressures
acting on marine biodiversity and sensitive habitats across European Seas. This overarching aim is addressed through the following specific objectives: (i) identify available sources and gaps of biodiversity and pressure data across case study areas; (ii) develop transparent protocols for sharing and exchange of data; iii) develop methods and procedures for correcting and standardizing raw monitoring data within and across survey.

D2.1 Preliminary Data Management Plan

Lead responsible for the report: Neil Holdsworth,
International Council for the Exploration of the Sea,

Submission date: 30.03.2023

D2.2 Report of available meta data and data gaps across case studies

Lead responsible for the report: Maria Teresa Spedicato, FONDAZIONE COISPA ETS,

Submission date: 22.03.2024

D2.3 Data management plan and report on data sets and data sharing protocols

Lead responsible for the report: Vaishav Soni, International Council for the Exploration of the Sea,

Submission date: 30.09.2024

WP3
Biodiversity status and cumulative impacts

This WP aims to assess the status, trends, and cumulative impacts of pressures acting on multiple biodiversity indicators and establish their links to ecosystem functions and services across European Seas. To achieve this aim we will use information and data harmonized and standardized in WP2 and advanced modelling to pursue the following objectives: (i) estimate a set of multiple biodiversity indicators at different spatial and temporal scales, (ii) assess the status and cumulative impacts of multiple stressors acting on biodiversity; (iii) assess the effect and relative importance of various biodiversity indicators on overall measures of ecosystem functions and services.

D3.1 Report on temporal trends and spatial patterns of multiple biodiversity indicators

D3.2 Report on state-pressure relationships and cumulative impacts across European waters

D3.3 Report on relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem functions and service

WP4
Risk and vulnerability

WP4 is aimed at identifying habitats and key species at risk of extinction in sensitive ecosystems by developing a hierarchical risk-based framework advancing upon that used by IPCC to assess climate risk (IPCC, 2014). To achieve this aim WP4 will pursue the following objectives: (1) identify species and/or habitats particularly at risk in different regional European seas; (2) assess trends and patterns of community level risk to inform potential adaptation or mitigation actions; and (3) assess spatial overlap, or potential mismatch, between hotspots of biodiversity, risks, and current marine protected areas.

D4.1 Report on species and/or habitats particularly at risk in different European regional seas

Lead responsible for the report:

Georg H. Engelhard, Cefas,

Submission date: 30.09.2024

D4.2 Report on community-level risk scores and ‘hotspots’ for different European regional seas

D4.3 Report on spatial overlap analysis of European marine protected areas and those areas identified as ‘hotspots’ of risk from anthropogenic pressures including climate change

WP5
Forecasting and scenario simulations

WP5 aims at producing short- to mid-term forecasts of marine biodiversity and its vulnerabilit across European Seas, as well as provide trajectories in ecosystem functions and their associated services. To achieve this aim WP5 will pursue the following objectives: (i) perform seasonal-to-decadal forecast of species distributions and biodiversity indicators, (ii) assess changes in species and/or habitats’ risk and vulnerabilities, and (iii) forecast changes in ecosystem functions and services. An end-product of this work package tailored to end-user needs will be (iterative) spatial maps of seasonal-to-decadal forecasted biodiversity, risk, and
vulnerability indicators (to WP6).

D5.1 Report on predictions of marine biodiversity in European Seas

D5.2 Report on projected risks and vulnerabilities of species and communities

D5.3 Report on scenario-based projections of biodiversity, ecosystem functions and services

WP6
Decision-support and outreach to policy and training

WP6 focuses on the delivery of project findings through three strands: decision-support, policy and training. Its main outcome will be to develop a tailored Science-Policy Interface (SPI) on Conservation of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services targeted at end-user needs (as identified in WP1). Specifically, WP6
will facilitate and enhance the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable ecosystem services using innovative decision-support tools (T6.1), knowledge communication and synthesis (T.6.2) and through education and outreach (T.6.3). This will be achieved through the following objectives: (i) Providing science based evidence for decision support and biodiversity conservation; (ii) Facilitating of the Science Policy Interface and Project Synthesis; (iii) Science for training and education within and beyond academia.

D6.1 Online, decision-support platform developed, approved by end-users and launched

D6.2 Plan for adaptive management to support decision-making in response to end user and policy needs at the different levels

D6.3 Exploitation & Dissemination Strategy in direct support of KPIs for Impact

D6.4 Project knowledge dissemination via the Science-Policy Interfaces with user activities (roundtable and capacity building) to support

D6.5 Compilation of high-end evidence report for end user needs

D6.6 E-learning platform for education and training launched

WP7
Project coordination

D7.1 Submission of periodic report M18

The overall objective of WP7 is to ensure efficient and effective project administration across the consortium, facilitating communication between the project partners and the Commission and leading to the successful completion of the B-USEFUL workplan and fulfilment of all requirements and obligations of the EC Grant Agreement.

Lead responsible for the report: Martin Lindegren,

DTU Aqua, National Institute of Aquatic Resources,

Submission date: 30.03.2023

D7.2 Submission of periodic report M36

D7.3 Submission of Final periodic report M48