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Integrating Marine Science in Europe

2,09

150

stron

4258

ESF Marine Board, European Science Foundation

2002

rok

Foreword 7

Summary of recommendations and actions for implementation 9

1. Introduction 27

1.1 Drivers for integrating marine science in Europe 28

1.1.1 The ocean in the Earth’s system 28

1.1.2 Sustainable development and the precautionary principle 29

1.1.3 The ocean, a new frontier for science, technology and society 31

1.2 European and societal dimensions 31

1.2.1 Science, society and citizens 31

1.2.2 Maritime regions, ultraperipheral regions and EU enlargement 33

1.2.3 Cooperation at the global level and with developing countries 34

1.2.4 Human resources 35

1.2.5 Interdisciplinarity, chantiers and the Marine European Research Area 36

1.2.6 Key research recommendations 37

2. Natural marine resources 39

2.1 Towards ecologically sustainable fisheries and aquaculture 40

2.1.1 Collapsing fish stocks and environmental impacts 40

2.1.2 Harnessing aquaculture 43

2.1.3 Key research recommendations 44

2.2 New energies and wealth from the sea 46

2.2.1 New hydrocarbon frontiers 46

2.2.2 Renewable energy 47

2.2.3 Aggregates 48

2.2.4 Ore deposits 48

2.2.5 Key research recommendations 49

2.3 Socio-economics and marine resource sustainability 50

2.3.1 Introduction 50

2.3.2 Integrating marine ecosystem and socio-economic sciences 52

2.3.3 Critical tools for marine socio-economics 54

2.3.4 Development of indicators 54

2.3.5 Key research recommendations 56

3. Europe’s coastal zones and shelf seas 57

3.1 Coastal zones 58

3.1.1 Diagnosing coastal health 58

3.1.2 Natural variability 59

3.1.3 Experimental management: multiple benefits to coastal seas 60

3.1.4 Biogeochemical dynamics at the land-ocean interface 61

3.1.5 Key research recommendations 63

3.2 Strategic observing and monitoring systems 64

3.2.1 Observation networks for vulnerable coasts 64

3.2.2 Operational oceanography 64

3.2.3 Ocean monitoring and Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) 66

3.2.4 Key research recommendations 68

3.3 Ocean margin processes and geohazards 69

3.3.1 Material exchange and fate 69

3.3.2 Margins as net sinks or sources of carbon 69

3.3.3 Geoclimatic hazards along ocean margins 70

3.3.4 Key research recommendations 71

3.4 Marine biodiversity: the blueprint for ecosystem regulation 72

3.4.1 Biodiversity of European seas 72

3.4.2 Marine taxonomy and genetics 73

3.4.3 Functional role of marine biodiversity 74

3.4.4 Effects of climate and anthropogenic changes on marine biodiversity 76

3.4.5 Key research recommendations 77

3.5 Integrated governance of European oceans and seas 79

3.5.1 Key recommendations 80

4. Ocean climate interactions and feedback 81

4.1 Climate change in Europe 82

4.1.1 Climate change: observational evidence 82

4.1.2 Causes of climate change 83

4.1.3 Climate variability: lessons from the past 83

4.1.4 Modelling natural and anthropogenic climate change 86

4.1.5 Key research recommendations 88

4.2 Ocean thermohaline circulation - Europe’s heat engine 89

4.2.1 Drivers of thermohaline circulation in the Atlantic Ocean 89

4.2.2 Mediterranean Sea: a sensitive decadal barometer of climate change 92

4.2.3 Key research recommendations 93

4.3 Ocean biogeochemical impacts and feedbacks in a greenhouse world 94

4.3.1 Oceanic CO2 sinks, feedbacks and limits in a greenhouse ocean 94

4.3.2 Ventilation of marine biogases and fertilisation feedbacks 95

4.3.3 Trace metal biogeochemical controls 96

4.3.4 Key research recommendations 98

5. New frontiers in marine science 99

5.1 Marine biotechnology: bioprospecting the planet’s largest biotope 100

5.1.1 Marine biotechnology in Europe 100

5.1.2 Bioprospecting novel products and pharmaceuticals 100

5.1.3 New biotechnologies for sustainable aquaculture 102

5.1.4 Diagnostic tools 103

5.1.5 Marine biomasses 103

5.1.6 Genomic and proteomic screening of marine organisms 103

5.1.7 Cultivating marine organisms for biotechnology 103

5.1.8 Key research recommendations 104

5.2 New ecosystems at oceanic extremes 105

5.2.1 Scientific challenges 105

5.2.2 New links between geosphere and biosphere 105

5.2.3 Detecting and attributing variability in deep ocean biology 107

5.2.4 The requirement for new tools 109

5.2.5 Key research recommendations 109

5.3 Vents and seeps 110

5.3.1 Ridge-flank thermal convection between crust and ocean 110

5.3.2 Dewatering of active margin sediments 111

5.3.3 Fluid expulsion at passive margins 112

5.3.4 Key research recommendations 112

6. Critical technologies 113

6.1 Introduction 114

6.1.1 Integrating multidisciplinary observations 114

6.1.2 The increasing importance of providing timely forecasts 114

6.2 Technological innovations 115

6.2.1 Novel sensors 115

6.2.2 Biosensors 116

6.2.3 Sensor arrays 116

6.2.4 Microsystems technology (MST) 116

6.2.5 Coupled optical sensors 117

6.2.6 Mass spectrometers (MS) 117

6.2.7 Smart materials 117

6.2.8 Acoustics and optics 118

6.2.9 Acoustic tomography and thermometry 118

6.3 Key components and systems 119

6.3.1 Energy concepts 119

6.3.2 Information technology 119

6.3.3 Robotics for long-term operations and maintenance 119

6.3.4 New materials 119

6.4 Systems of the future 120

6.4.1 General concepts 120

6.4.2 Examples of advanced observatory systems 121

6.5 Key technology recommendations 124

7. Research infrastructures 125

7.1 Introduction 126

7.2 Marine infrastructure: status and trends 126

7.2.1 Research vessels 126

7.2.2 Ships of opportunity 128

7.2.3 Marine observational systems and underwater vehicles 128

7.2.4 Satellites and aircraft 130

7.2.5 Testing and calibration facilities 131

7.2.6 Data acquisition, management and policy 132

7.2.7 E-marine science: a new dimension 132

7.3 Importance of long-term commitments 133

7.4 European strategy on marine infrastructures 133

7.5 Key recommendations 134

Appendices

Appendix I Flow chart of the evolution of the Position Paper 137

Appendix II Non-exhaustive list of international and regional conventions, and EC directives 139

Appendix III List of acronyms used in this document 141

Appendix IV List of the Members of the ESF Marine Board 145