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North Sea Observation and Assessment (NOAH)
Project
Project code: vTI-SF-08-80
Contract period: 01.04.2013
- 31.03.2016
Purpose of research: Inventory & Assessment
We propose to develop a comprehensive georeferenced inventory of seafloor properties in the German Bight of the North Sea ('habitat map'). This central product will be generated by: 1) analysing and processing existing sedimentological, geochemical, biological and human impact data to derive statistically distinct sediment provinces. Within these provinces, we identify homogeneous and representative areas for field work, where 2) new data on temporal and spatial variability will be raised during field campaigns in order to better constrain characteristic physical, sedimentological, chemical and biological properties. Employing 3) numerical models and statistical techniques, these observed habitat properties (diagenetic flux rates, bed forms, biological diversity, pollutant concentrations) will be assessed for their variability in space and time and be extrapolated to similar sediment provinces to obtain a comprehensive data base of seafloor properties in the German Bight. We will further quantify the influence of human activity on seafloor integrity, including biological structure and functioning of the benthic communities and food webs, to develop a surrogate good environmental status (GES). The 'habitat atlas' and model data will 4) be exploited to describe the status of seafloor ecosystems, derive and test indicators for GES, and to estimate thresholds and risks to this important ecosystem component. The habitat atlas and related properties will be publicised in the form of an interactive webGIS and will be transferred to an appropriate institutional home for future augmentation, maintenance, and publication at the end of the project (e.g., MDI-DE).
Section overview
Subjects
- Marine fisheries
- Climate Change