Mission: Advance the understanding of deep-sea, ocean, and transitional ecosystems and their interactions with human activities.
Aims:
1. Investigate ecosystem processes in deep-sea, oceanic, and transitional ecosystems.
2. Assess human impacts (e.g. pollution, overfishing, dredging operations) and changing climate on the health and resilience of these ecosystems.
3. Study the role of these ecosystems in global biogeochemical cycles, carbon sequestration, and climate regulation.
4. Evaluate the potential of deep-sea resources for sustainable use.
5. Develop innovative technologies, including remote sensing, numerical modelling, underwater robotics, and genomic analysis, to study, monitor and forecast the behaviour and evolution of these environments.
6. Promote international cooperation and knowledge exchange to support effective conservation and sustainable use of deep-sea, oceanic, and transitional ecosystems.
The research within the Deep-Sea, Ocean, and Transitional Ecosystems research group (RG1) aligns with the need to increase knowledge on marine ecosystems, highlighted in initiatives like: UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development; Decade of Ecosystem Restoration; Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. We support the EU’s 2030 Biodiversity Strategy and the EU Mission Ocean & Waters by developing tools and knowledge crucial for monitoring biodiversity, assessing human impacts, and mapping habitats.
RG1 directly supports:
TL1– Climate Change, Adaptation, and Mitigation: RG1 research on ecosystem processes, human impacts, and climate regulation will directly contribute to understanding climate change mechanisms, informing adaptation strategies, and promoting mitigation efforts.
TL3 – Socio-Ecological Systems and Resources: RG1 research on sustainable use, ecosystem services assessment, and the interplay between human activities and the marine environment will significantly enhance the understanding of socio-ecological dynamics and inform the responsible management of marine resources.