Aim

DiverSea develops novel marine observation and monitoring technology by combining: 1a) The new DNA-based identification approach “DNA-marks”: This approach will harnesses low coverage/cost genomic data to document genetic diversity and discriminate beyond species, to the population and individual level. This opens revolutionary possibilities, both for environmental samples (eDNA) and for monitoring species key biological parameters beyond simple identification, and, 1b) The experimentation required to quantify uncertainties in marine eDNA/eRNA interpretation, while developing general indictor methods with novel approaches harnessing new approaches and theory on mechanisms of molecular shedding and degradation; 2) emerging molecular techniques and approaches integrated with autonomous systems satellite remote sensing, citizen science, existing monitoring program data collection and, covering EOVs/EBVs, for comprehensive mapping of important marine habitats; 3) A novel data integration processing and interrogation AI-ML architecture that processes incoming biological, physical and biogeochemical data from diverse data platforms and from case studies in (2). The analysis module overarching framework will combine EOVs/EBVs for spatial and temporal biodiversity prediction, gap analysis identifying urgent data needs and investigating causal links/feedbacks between abiotic cycles, multiple stressors, biodiversity dynamics and biogeochemical cycles 5) An interactive platform to communicate the scientific outcomes of DiverSea to policy makers, stakeholders and the general public, the “Biodiversity Services Dashboard”. The dashboard visualizes key environmental and socio-economic indicators with quantified scenarios for societal and functional biodiversity interaction, connections of biodiversity to ecosystem functions and services. This will facilitate evaluating and comparing policy and planning alternatives considering the requirements of different target stakeholders.

Partnership

The project is implemented in partnership with the following organisations:

  • NORGES TEKNISK-NATURVITENSKAPELIGE UNIVERSITET
  • KOBENHAVNS UNIVERSITET
  • VLAAMSE INSTELLING VOOR TECHNOLOGISCH
  • UNIVERSITA POLITECNICA DELLE MARCHE
  • Liga para a Protecção da Natureza
  • UNIVERSIDAD POMPEU FABRA
  • ASOCIACION TURSIOPS
  • DOKUZ EYLUL UNIVERSITESI
  • Institute of Marine Biology of the NAS of Ukraine
  • The Regents of the Univ. of Calif., U.C. San Diego.
  • UNIVERSIDADE DO PORTO
  • ATHENS UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS – RESEARCH CENTER
  • GOETEBORGS UNIVERSITET
  • VNNOR AS
  • ETHNIKO KAI KAPODISTRIAKO PANEPISTIMIO ATHINON
  • AKDENIZ KORUMA DERNEGI
  • UNIVERSITY OF GHANA
  • Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association

 

Research activities

DiverSEA demonstrates a holistic approach by:

  1. Development of state-of-the-art monitoring of genetic diversity and addressing the knowledge deficit for the use of environmental nucleic acids for mapping and monitoring of marine organisms
  2. Integrating efficient sampling techniques (nucleic acid, nanochemistry) into ocean sampling tools
  3. Integration of innovative and traditional approaches to monitor the social effects of the experiments.
  4. Development of an integrated Data Space and architecture for the analysis of existing and new data to define key indicators linking the functional dynamics of biodiversity.
  5. Development of an interactive European Management System for Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Goods and Services (MARBIOSE) for end-user-oriented, policy-level analysis, structuring of biodiversity and related knowledge.