NECCTON

NECCTON researchers are presenting their innovative work at Ocean Predict 2024, advancing biogeochemical modelling and ecosystem forecasting. From the Mediterranean to the Black Sea, their talks explore carbon sequestration, radiative transfer modelling, and more, demonstrating NECCTON's critical contributions to the future of ocean science. #NECCTON #OceanModelling #MarineScience

Exploring Super Resolution Data Assimilation (SRDA) with Antoine Bernigaud At #OceanPredict2024, Antoine from Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center (NERSC) is presenting groundbreaking work on Super Resolution Data Assimilation (SRDA), a novel approach developed at NERSC for Arctic and North Atlantic modelling. This method combines a "low"-resolution coupled model (TOPAZ 18-km) with a neural network (a residual U-Net) to emulate high-resolution results akin to the TOPAZ-6km model—at a fraction of the computational cost. By forecasting with the LR model, interpolating outputs to HR grids, and refining them with a neural network, the approach assimilates high-resolution observations, delivering computationally efficient, HR-quality insights. An exciting step forward in precision ocean modelling! ?? #NECCTON #DataAssimilation #OceanModelling

Further updates from #OceanPredict2024! Momme Butensch?n from NECCTON shared critical insights on the Multiple Pressure Exposure and Mitigation Potential of European Seas under Climate Hazard. Momme's talk delved into the complex web of pressures—acidification, warming, and deoxygenation—that threaten marine life and the essential services it provides. He introduced an innovative approach to measure exposure to these pressures, factoring in local ecosystem variability and the long-term environmental conditions to which species have adapted. This work highlights the importance of understanding the interconnectedness of marine ecosystems and how tailored mitigation pathways can address the challenges of coastal and open ocean heterogeneity. A vital step in supporting more resilient European seas.

Exciting insights from #OceanPredict2024! Valeria Di Biagio from OGS, part of the NECCTON project, delivered a compelling talk on the critical role of suspended particulate matter (SPM) in coastal ecosystems. SPM significantly influences light attenuation, which impacts biogeochemical processes and marine life. Despite its importance, the dynamics of SPM, particularly its inorganic components, are often overlooked in coastal modelling—leading to gaps in understanding ecosystem interactions. Valeria highlighted how integrating SPM models into coastal simulations can offer transformative advancements for the management and preservation of coastal environments. A vital step forward for science-based solutions to safeguard our oceans! ?? #CoastalScience #MarineEcosystems #NECCTON #Sustainability #OceanPredict

A recent by NECCTON researchers study highlights gaps in the protection of Mediterranean seagrass habitats, emphasizing the need for improved marine protected area planning. The study, "Identifying Gaps in the Protection of Mediterranean Seagrass Habitats Using Network-Based Prioritization," examines the distribution and connectivity of key Mediterranean seagrass habitats, specifically Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa, which support high biodiversity. Using species distribution models and connectivity assessments, the researchers found that many critical seagrass patches—particularly those that serve as sources, sinks, or stepping stones for species dispersal—remain unprotected under current marine protected areas (MPA) across the Mediterranean. Notably, regions like the Aegean, Ionian, and Adriatic seas have significant gaps in MPA coverage of these essential habitats. This research suggests that strategically placed MPAs could improve protection and connectivity within the ecosystem, contributing to broader biodiversity conservation goals and fulfilling international protection targets. This approach emphasizes the need for MPA planning that considers habitat connectivity to support more resilient marine ecosystems. Full paper: https://lnkd.in/e9fGv3W7 Vinko Bandelj Gianpiero Cossarini Damiano Baldan

New NECCTON Newsletter is Live! Stay up to date with all the latest project developments, collaborative insights, and upcoming opportunities from the NECCTON initiative. In this edition, we discuss how NECCTON is joining forces with other Horizon Europe projects to enhance marine biodiversity monitoring and share innovative data for global impact. Check out the full newsletter for all the details and exciting updates! ?? Read the full newsletter here https://lnkd.in/erhHFgg5 #NECCTON #OceanDecade #MarineBiodiversity #HorizonEurope #ResearchCollaboration

NECCTON at AMEMR 2024 Many researchers from the NECCTON project have actively participated in the AMEMR 2024 conference (Advances in Marine Ecosystem Modelling Research), sharing exciting results from the first year of our project. Our team has delivered a number of insightful talks and presented informative posters, significantly contributing to the international ecosystem modelling community. This engagement has provided an excellent opportunity for networking and building collaborations with other researchers from around the world. NECCTON's contributions are pivotal in transforming the European capability to predict and protect marine biodiversity. Our new modelling products focused on fisheries, pollution, and benthic habitats will enable the Copernicus Marine Service to provide more accurate and comprehensive data. These advancements will empower ocean policymakers, managers, and the public with the information they need to make informed decisions about marine conservation and resource management. At AMEMR 2024, our researchers showcased how these innovative tools are improving marine ecosystem understanding. The conference served as a platform for NECCTON to highlight its role in enhancing predictive capabilities and protecting marine biodiversity. Through our participation, we have fostered meaningful discussions and established valuable connections, which will further our mission to support sustainable marine management practices. We are thrilled to see the positive impact our work is having and look forward to continuing these important conversations. Stay tuned for more updates and findings from NECCTON as we continue to drive forward the protection and sustainable use of marine ecosystems! Talk Titles: From physics to fish: impact of two-way coupling between a higher and lower trophic level model on carbon cycling on theNorth West European Shelf. Helen Powely, PML, UK. Influence of low trophic levels resolution and dynamics on simulated fish community. Morgane Travers-Trolet, Ifremer, France Control of carbon sequestration by the interaction between fishes and benthic fauna. Rebecca Millington, PML, UK Modelling global carbon fluxes and sequestration from fish. Yixin Zhao, DTU Aqua, Denmark Development of a three dimensional multispecies small pelagic fish model for the Mediterranean Sea. Thanos Gkanasos, HCMR, Greece ? Poster Titles: Characterization and evolution of micronektonic biomes and feedbacks on biogeochemical cycles. Sarah Albernhe, CLS, France Improved understanding of eutrophication trends, indicators and problem areas using machine learning. Jozef Skakala, PML, United Kingdom Higher-trophic fish and macrobenthos biomass models based on ECOSMO E2E compatible to multiple lower trophic level model hosts. Vijayakumaran Vijith, HEREON, Germany New opportunities to develop, test and share process models in a common framework. Jorn Bruggeman, Bolding & Bruggeman ApS Stefano Ciavatta James Clark Morgane Travers-Trolet

We’re excited to announce NECCTON's presence at the Copernicus Marine Service General Assembly 2024. https://lnkd.in/dBJK8TZk Today, Stefano Ciavatta from Mercator Ocean International will present NECCTON's objectives, expected outcomes, and its crucial links to Copernicus Marine. NECCTON aims to enhance Copernicus Marine by expanding its stakeholder base dedicated to marine biodiversity and sustainable seafood management. The project integrates new data into ecosystem models to inform marine biodiversity conservation and sustainable seafood management, focusing on higher-trophic levels, benthic habitats, and pollutants. Our advancements, including novel data-processing chains and machine-learning algorithms, will be demonstrated in thirteen co-designed case studies, aiming for Technological Readiness Level 6. This collaboration of twenty-three organizations ensures NECCTON’s successful integration into CMEMS, providing twenty-seven new operational products for informed marine management decisions. Follow our journey as NECCTON advances marine science and conservation! Join our mailing list at https://www.neccton.eu/

?? ?Ocean science strides forward! This week in Barcelona the #OceanDecade24 will celebrate progress & set priorities for the future. We are proud to to support Mercator Ocean International in its Digital evolution, enabling full analysis and unlimited access to the world's ocean data. Follow Pierre Bahurel and Pierre-Yves Le Traon talks in livestream ?? https://lnkd.in/dATxMcCq

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