Use Cases

JNCC produced a ‘Combined Map’ integrating data from field survey maps (mostly from the EUNIS habitat datasets collection) and the most recent version of the EMODnet Seabed Habitats broad-scale predictive habitat map available at that time. The Combined Map is a single flat layer without overlaps between habitats or component datasets, making it suitable and efficient for area calculations.

The pan-European map presenting the distribution of modelled broad scale seabed habitats (EUSeaMap v2016) made available through the EMODnet Seabed Habitats project, was crucial in the assessment recently performed by ISPRA in collaboration with the European Environment Agency to compile information on the distribution of all  marine broad-scale habitats for the whole Western Mediterranean basin.

Non-indigenous species (NIS) introduced by human activities are organisms moved into new areas outside their natural range by, for example, transfer of ships’ ballast water, biofouling and aquaculture. The EMODnet biology data were used to assess the trends in new records of NIS introductions into the OSPAR Maritime Area...

As is often the case with human activity, pipelines can be extremely useful, while at the same time very dangerous. EMODnet Human Activities recently created a dataset on offshore pipelines. Albeit incomplete, the dataset shows the true potential of EMODnet.

The University of Ghana deployed a wave rider buoy near the Cape Verde islands for collection of in-situ data on ocean parameters such as wave height and sea surface temperature for validation purposes. In order to make this data available to the global scientific community, collaboration was established with EMODnet Physics to host this data on their distribution platform. The impact of this collaboration has been tremendous, as the data is made easily accessible to both African and European partner institutions, as well as other users.

The EMODnet Chemistry portal has tested the application of INSPIRE Data Specifications to model nutrient data (MSFD Criterion D5C1 “Nutrients concentrations in water”) in the Mediterranean Sea. The use case builds on the Technical Guidelines related to Environmental Monitoring Facilities (EMF) and Oceanographic Geographical Features (OF) themes and to the Observations and Measurement (O&M) data model and was developed in collaboration with the SeaDataCloud and MEDCIS projects. The exercise demonstrated the completeness of EMODnet Chemistry metadata with respect to INSPIRE requirements and the feasibility to map EMODnet to INSPIRE models.

With data of EMODnet Physics portal, DFD is validating the wave parameter of significant wave height HS (which is derived from satellite imagery e.g., from Sentinel-1) at DFD’s ground station in Neustrelitz. Currently the validation chain for SAR derived wind and wave products based on the EMODnet measurement station network is being developed. First results show the benefit for the service validation in general.

EMODnet Seabed Habitats data enabled the mapping of potential disturbance to benthic habitats due to fishing in the north-east Atlantic. The assessment was part of the wider OSPAR Intermediate Assessment 2017, which evaluates the status of the marine environment of the North-East Atlantic.

EMODnet Chemistry contributed to the Quality Status Report 2017 of UNEP/MAP with a Case Study on Long-term variability along a trophic gradient in the North Adriatic Sea.

Symphony is a tool used by the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (SwAM) to assess the cumulative impact of human activity in Swedish waters. In this operation, EMODnet Geology and the Bathymetry portals provided with good knowledge of the distribution of geological substrate types.