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 ADRIPLAN project (10 December 2013 until 10 June 2015) was funded by the European Commission and worked towards an ADRiatic-Ionian maritime spatial PLANning (ADRIPLAN). The project focused on improving the ongoing process to develop Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) in the region to overcome barriers of full participation of all neighbouring countries in the process.
Outcomes: Authors were able to map the potential cumulative impacts of multiple anthropogenic activities and their related stressors on the coastal and estuarine ecosystems in Danish waters of the North Sea – Baltic Sea transition zone. Following this, authors analysed the differences in stressor contributions between offshore and inshore waters, and the relative local importance of stressors along a gradient from inner fjords to offshore waters. It was determined that the five most significant stressors are nutrient introduction, climate anomalies, the introduction
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.
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.
