Enhancing the Global Ocean Observing System to meet evidence based needs for the ecosystem‐based management of coastal ecosystem services

Abstract

Ecosystem-based approaches (EBAs) to managing anthropogenic pressures on ecosystems, adapting to changes in ecosystem states (indicators of ecosystem health), and mitigating the impacts of state changes on ecosystem services are needed for sustainable development. EBAs are informed by integrated ecosystem assessments (IEAs) that must be compiled and updated frequently for EBAs to be effective. Frequently updated IEAs depend on the sustained provision of data and information on pressures, state changes, and impacts of state changes on services. Nowhere is this truer than in the coastal zone, where people and ecosystem services are concentrated and where anthropogenic pressures converge. This study identifies the essential indicator variables required for the sustained provision of frequently updated IEAs, and offers an approach to establishing a global network of coastal observations within the framework of the Global Ocean Observing System. The need for and challenges of capacity-building are highlighted, and examples are given of current programmes that could contribute to the implementation of a coastal ocean observing system of systems on a global scale. This illustrates the need for new approaches to ocean governance that can achieve coordinated integration of existing programmes and technologies as a first step towards this goal.1 Microbial food webs (or microbial loops) dominated by heterotrophic bacteria, archaea and protozoa (e.g., flagellates and ciliates) are fueled by small phytoplankton species (mean spherical diameter < 2-3 μm) whereas metazoan food webs dominated by larger zooplankton (e.g., copepods, pteropods and krill) and nekton (e.g., fish and whales) are supported by larger phytoplankton and by microbial food webs.

Assessment and Evolution of the Sustainable Development Ability of Human–Ocean Systems in Coastal Regions of China

“…The key to sustainable development of HOS is achieving a balance between the exploitation of ocean resources for socio-economic development while conserving ecosystem services that are critical to societal wellbeing and livelihoods. For example, ecosystem-based approaches (EBAs) that consider socio-economic development in the context of ecosystem dynamics could effectively improve the sustainable development of ocean ecosystems [68]. Holistic, integrated responses have the potential to effectively address issues related to ecosystem services and human well-being simultaneously [16].…”

The Role of Stakeholders in Creating Societal Value From Coastal and Ocean Observations

“…This was particularly evident during Project Azul where one of the most important outcomes was the investment made in professional and academic training in operational oceanography. The lack of trained personnel is well recognized as a major obstacle to the development of ocean observing systems (Malone et al, 2014). A survey conducted by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (IOC of UNESCO, 2013) highlighted concerns related to capacity development in ocean observing 39 Some of these concerns included: an overdependence on project-oriented, short-term international support; training programs being mostly oneoff with unsure long-term benefits; inadequate infrastructure inhibiting training programs, where they are most needed; lack of ship-based training programs (data collection/data handling); lack of a critical mass of ocean experts (both scientific and technical) and few mechanisms or incentives to retain built capacity and available experts; and, competition from nonmarine sectors for new entrants and talent.…”

“…A productive and sustainable ocean economy requires strong partnerships. A diversity of stakeholders -managers, decision-makers, users of ocean observing products and services, socioeconomic communities and civil society, and the builders and operators of observing systems, amongst others -contribute to maximize the economic benefit from the blue economy (Malone et al, 2014). A clear understanding of, and mutual agreement on the role and needs of stakeholders is required to bridge the gap between ocean observations, as an activity born out science and engineering, and its benefits to society.…”

The Civitavecchia Coastal Environment Monitoring System (C-CEMS): a new tool to analyze the conflicts between coastal pressures and sensitivity areas

“…Improved modeling and real-time sensing capabilities in terms of accuracy and spatial and temporal resolution are required, also in order to respond to both science and societal needs (Tintoré et al, 2013). In particular, linking observations and models has been recognized as a critical step to achieving effective integrated ecosystem assessment (Malone et al, 2014). The mathematical models play a fundamental role in the global and regional ocean forecasting systems since they assimilate the observational data in order to produce reanalysis and forecast products of the most relevant ocean and physical variables (Tonani et al, 2015).…”