Research Project Title: "Monitoring of Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health in the Region"
Objective:
To map marine biodiversity, track species distribution, and collect data to understand ecosystem changes in response to climate change and human activities using a multi-platform, integrated research infrastructure approach.
Challenge Addressed:

- Monitoring and modelling marine biodiversity across multiple scales (from the surface to deep-sea environments).
- Understanding the ecological impact of adverse pressures for example climate change, overfishing, and pollution on marine species.
Integrated Research Infrastructure:
- Role: Act as the operational hub. Equipped with multibeam sonar, biological sampling tools, and communication systems.
- Task: acquire samples and data utilizing ship mounted and deployed equipment whilst also serving as the command centre, deploying drones, AUVs, and ROVs for targeted data collection in areas identified as biodiversity hotspots.
- Role: Autonomous and remotely operated systems for high-resolution data collection.
- Task:
- AUVs survey large swathes of the seafloor and water column, collecting data on temperature, salinity, and species presence.
- ROVs are deployed for close-up observation of species and ecosystems in deeper waters or complex habitats (e.g., coral reefs) and sample acquisition.
- Role: Continuous environmental monitoring via seabed observatories and buoys.
- Task: Provide baseline in situ environmental data (e.g., temperature, pH, nutrient levels) to support activities from research vessels and mobile platforms, and detailed long-term data on biodiversity. Support long-term trend analysis.
W1M3A – Western Mediterranean Research Facility, Western Mediterranean Sea (Ligurian Sea).
- Role: Detailed studies of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.
- Task: Provision of specific sensors for field studies, sensor calibration, facilities for species identification and sites for experimental studies.
- Role: Continuous environmental monitoring of riverine fluxes and environmental monitoring
- Task: Provide baseline in situ riverine and environmental data to support activities from research vessels and mobile platforms. Construction of land-sea fluxes and long-term trend analysis.
- Role: Aerial observation and mapping of large-scale marine areas
- Task: Drones monitor oceanographic conditions such as surface algal blooms, Marine Mammal species, marine birds, marine debris and litter, providing real-time imagery and supporting the deployment of surface/ underwater mobile platforms.
- Role: Large-scale monitoring of sea surface temperature, currents, and chlorophyll levels.
- Task: Satellites identify regions of interest (e.g., temperature anomalies, algal blooms), guiding vessel and AUV deployments for closer inspection.
Research Workflow:
Collect routine satellite data at the start of the workflow to establish a baseline ecological assessment of a particular region. Additional data sets will be gathered at interim time points (e.g., mid-way through the research project and again during the final stages) to identify any temporal patterns in surface oceanographic features emerge throughout the course of the workflow.
Joint calibration of sensors used in various platforms. Additional comparison of new technologies against traditional ones in controlled environments, simulating the in situ conditions.
After assessing the baseline biodiversity status, a research vessel campaign will be planned, utilizing supporting infrastructure such as ROVs and AUVs to collect biological samples and geophysical data, helping to create a comprehensive image of the environment.
- AUVs will autonomously map the seafloor, and/or taking water column profiles to assess biodiversity, temperature, and salinity profiles.
- ROVs shall explore deep-sea ecosystems, capturing high-resolution images and videos of species, as well as collecting physical biological samples of benthos impacted by the algal bloom.
Data from nearby buoys, seabed observatories and riverine fluxes provide environmental context (e.g., nutrient loads, changes in ocean temperature and pH), helping to link observed biodiversity changes with environmental stressors.
All collected data is integrated into predictive models to assess how climate change and human activities (e.g., pollution) are influencing marine biodiversity.
Observational data shall be collected in the final stages of the research workflow to assess any environmental changes that may of occurred after the completion of research campaign, where it would have been unfeasible to redeploy in-situ research infrastructures.
Outcome:
The project produces a comprehensive map of marine biodiversity in the area, identifies species at risk from climate change, and develops models to predict future biodiversity shifts. This integrated approach offers a robust tool for decision-makers to design conservation strategies, protect marine ecosystems, and mitigate human impact on biodiversity.