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 secretariat@emodnet.ec.europa.eu.
The Institut de Ciènces del Maris (ICM) used EMODnet Seabed Habitats classified substrate types described in the broad-scale predictive habitat map for Europe (EUSeaMap 2019) to model spatial patterns of abundance, biomass and biodiversity of demersal communities of the North-West Mediterranean Sea.
The National Interuniversity Consortium for Marine Science (CoNISMa) conducted a study to assess the natural capital across the Gulf of Naples and the wider Campania region, areas of importance to Italy’s economy. EMODnet Seabed Habitats broad-scale habitat map for Europe (EUSeaMap 2019) supported the authors’ research by providing vital data on habitat boundaries within the broader Campania region. This resource allowed the authors to identify four main macro-habitats which could be used to quantify the value of marine natural capital stocks.
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 produced an extent-based evaluation of the representativeness and level of protection offered to the range of seabed habitats found in the Azore MPA network. The conclusions of the assessment highlighted the need for protection of bathyal and abyssal habitats, and to apply a suitable ecological coherence criterion to the MPA network.
How EMODnet Seabed Habitats helped the user:EMODnet was the first product to provide a broad-scale full-coverage map of the study region.
Marine Scotland Science (MSS) is the scientific division of the Marine Scotland Directorate, the branch of the devolved Scottish Government responsible for the marine and coastal environment. The purpose of MSS is to provide expert scientific, economic and technical advice and services on issues relating the to the marine environment, to provide evidence to support policies and regulatory activities of the Scottish Government, to perform regulatory and enforcement activitie
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: Researchers were able to assess the impacts of decommissioning marine renewable energy installations (MREI) and provide advice for future decommissioning plans. It was found that the MREI in this area supported similar assemblages to the surrounding habitats, and therefore longer-term monitoring of habitat change were required.
How EMODnet Seabed Habitats helped the user:EMODnet provided broad-scale habitat data for the study area.
Wageningen Marine Research Institute is a part of the wider Wageningen University and Research centre. The marine institute conducts independent scientific research and provides contributions and advice on marine monitoring, spatial planning, sustainable marine exploitation, fisheries and nature-based solutions to climate change.
Wageningen Marine Research Institute is a part of the wider Wageningen University and Research centre. The marine institute conducts independent scientific research and provides contributions and advice on marine monitoring, spatial planning, sustainable marine exploitation, fisheries and nature-based solutions to climate change. They aim to work towards the more sustainable and careful management, use and protection of marine, coastal and freshwater environments.
Authors identified that boundaries of successful no-take MPAs may still be zones of high stress for habitat forming species such as maerl. Additionally, authors suggested that MPA designations should re-consider boundaries in areas with low-resilience, key-forming habitat species.
