European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet)
Use Cases
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To understand the full benefits of EMODnet, users are kindly asked to describe how EMODnet supports them in their daily work and activities.
If you have developed an application using EMODnet products that you would like to share with us or if you use EMODnet data for other purposes, submit your use case by contacting helpdesk@emodnet.ec.europa.eu.
Outcomes:Researchers were able to model the suitable habitat for European hake, Merluccius merluccius, in their first year of life (0-group) in the Mediterranean Sea. The results show that hake nurseries require stable bottom temperatures, low bottom currents and a frequent occurrence of productive fronts in low chlorophyll-a areas in order to support successful recruitment, with conditions occurring recurrently in outer shelf and shelf break areas. This prediction explains the role of unfavourable environmental conditions on low recruitment in past years.<
Outcomes:Based on the study of morphological species diversity and distribution, authors were able to re-defined the circalittoral zone in the Azores islands.
How EMODnet Seabed Habitats helped the user:EMODnet provided the best data source to represent marine benthic habitats in the Azores.
Outcomes:Authors used an Ecological Niche Model to identify previously overlooked areas of the Mediterranean and Eastern Atlantic, as areas containing soft coral habitats. The model could then be used for future surveys to target areas predicting presence of coral habitats and identify new priority conservation areas.
How EMODnet Seabed Habitats helped the user:EUSeaMap provided information on the distribution of rocky bottomed habitats across the study area.
Outcomes:. Authors were able to identify that differences in diet of grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) reflect regional differences in physical habitat features.
How EMODnet Seabed Habitats helped the user:Sediment and depth data were derived utilising output of the EUSeaMap 2016.
Outcomes:Assessors highlighted environmental covariates with the greatest influence on porpoise density distribution models. Resulting distribution maps were then used to propose areas suitable for protection of these marine mammals in Swedish waters.
How EMODnet Seabed Habitats helped the user:EUSeaMap provided some of the data used in the habitat distribution models
Outcomes: Authors were able to quantify the effects of the invasive polychaete Marenzelleria spp on sediment nutrient cycling in the Baltic Sea. The results identified that an overall reduction in the self-cleaning capacity of the basin would create a higher cost to stakeholders to meet international commitments such as the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
Outcomes: Authors were able to create predictive mapping relating to the supporting seabed habitats for inshore wintering waterfowl (IWW) in Scotland. The results identified the location and extent of some prey species and habitats that support the inshore wintering waterfowl, and these will, in turn, inform the management of proposed marine Special Protection Areas (pSPA).
Outcomes: Authors calculated that 70% of Dipolydora habitat and 50% of Melinna habitat was in good ecological status under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. The assessment provided the baseline for future assessments and could provide ecological information for future maritime spatial plans.
How EMODnet Seabed Habitats helped the user: The survey conducted for this study relied on the availability of habitat and substrate information, which EUSeaMap was able to detail.
Outcomes: Authors were able to map and assess the ecosystem services provided by habitats in the European North Atlantic Ocean, providing a point for further research and discussion on ecosystem services contribution of benthic habitats in Europe.
How EMODnet Seabed Habitats helped the user:EUSeaMap provided a basis of EUNIS classified benthic habitats to fill in the gaps for where seabed habitats in the study area were previously unclassified.
Outcomes: Users were able to apply a marine ecosystem services model to the Lithuanian sea to identify areas where anthropogenic impacts most greatly affected valuable fish provisioning areas and cultural coastal regions. Authors stated the information was particularly useful for regional authorities to apply an ecosystem-based management approach to marine spatial planning.
How EMODnet Seabed Habitats helped the user: EMODnet provided best available and free substrate data for the Lithuanian portion of the Baltic Sea.
