Transcript Marine research infrastructures gaps and needs

Marine Research Infrastructures as a
Factor in Regional Competitiveness
Professor Peter Herzig
Director, IFM-GEOMAR
German Marine Research Consortium KDM
Marine Research Infrastructures
European Strategic Forum on Research Infrastructures
(ESFRI)
roadmap currently includes (but is not limited to)
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European Multidisciplinary Seafloor Observatory EMSO
EUROArgo
European Marine Biological Resource Centre
Aurora Borealis
Value-Added of Marine Infrastructures:
The Example of the Observatories
EMSO (European Multidisciplinary Seafloor Observatory)
is a planned European-scale network of seafloor observatories
and platforms
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long-term, real-time monitoring of environmental changes
early-warning of natural hazards
geographically distributed infrastructure
European waters: Arctic, North Sea, Atlantic, Black Sea,
Mediterranean Sea
European Multidisciplinary Seafloor Observatory
Value-Added of Marine Infrastructures:
The Example of the Observatories
Argo and EUROArgo (Global Ocean Observing Infrastructure)
 global array of >3.000 free-drifting profiling floats
 measure continuously temperature and salinity of the upper
2.000 m of the ocean
 document seasonal to decadal climate variability
 improve our capability for prediction
 data being relayed and made publicly available within
hours after collection
Argo and EUROArgo
Marine Observatories: Gaps and Needs
Major Needs
 reducing loss of life and property from natural and humaninduced ocean disasters
 improving management of ocean energy resources
 understanding, assessing, predicting, mitigating and
adapting to climate variability and change
 improving weather information, forecasting and warning
 improving the management and protection of coastal and
marine ecosystems
 understanding, monitoring and conserving biodiversity
Marine Observatories: Gaps and Needs
Major Gaps
 geographical areas often not well covered
 critical areas are not well covered
 early warning systems are not installed:
earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, submarine slides, tsunamis
 long-term observation of critical parameters is lacking
 secured funding, master plan and overall coordination
are missing
Requirements and Roadmap
Strategic Orientation
 develop long-term strategic plan for European infrastructures
 analyse existing & indentify additionally needed infrastructures
 maximise synergies at EU level and within member states
Financial Implementation
 secure long-term financing for construction, installation and
operation of infrastructures
Requirements and Roadmap
Operational Sustainability
 document long-term value-added of the infrastructures for
coastal states and regions and the EU as a whole
Sustainable Management Structures
 establish effective and efficient management structures
 involve scientists, operators and users (e.g. society and
industry)
Benefits to the Regions
 disaster prediction, mitigation and/or prevention: earthquakes,
submarine slides, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis
 maritime and environmental services as delivered by coastal
observatories for windpark impacts, water quality, coastal
erosion, for sustainable fishing
 climate change data: regional changes in precipitation, storm
intensity, loss of biodiversity
 cooperation & networking between scientists and operational
services (hydrographic and shipping services, coast guards)
 innovation: technology development and job creation in SMEs
Ocean and Seafloor Observatories as
European Marine Infrastructures
THE EUROPEAN OCEAN –
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3 million km2
68.000 km of coast line
four seas, two oceans
surface area equal to total landmass of Europe
more than 50% of the territory under
the jurisdiction of
EU Member States
is under water