WP 1 - EB-MSP knowledge and guidance
WP1 Objectives
O1.1 – to identify EU policy objectives that drive the implementation of EB-MSP
O1.2 - to develop an EB-MSP process template and a conceptual model that maps the linkages between environmental, economic and social attributes and identifies the potential risks of adverse effects on biodiversity
O1.3 – to produce flexible EB-MSP guidance and best practices through feedback from stakeholders and Planning Sites
Leads
Work Package Tasks
T1.1 Framing and operationalising EB-MSP
This task will frame the overall EB-MSP decision support system to be tested and implemented by the Planning Sites. The hierarchy and linkages of relevant EU policies will be analysed to guide the definition of SMART objectives for EB-MSP and conservation planning. During this process, and supported by WP4 and WP5, WP1 will liaise with key stakeholders to inform them of the underlying concepts and scientific knowledge basis when operationalising the EB-MSP framework and the definition of operational objectives for EB-MSP.
Lead: AZTI, partners: Thünen, QUB, WR, UAEGEAN, RBINS.
T1.2 Linking human activities to ecosystem elements
The EB-MSP process template will consider the relationship of humans with the marine ecosystem: as beneficiaries of ecosystem services, as well as the cause of negative effects on environmental and conservation status. It will build on previous research linking human pressures to ecosystem components that are affected by such pressures, hence leading to an increased risk of adverse effects on ecosystem function and ecosystem services. The EB-MSP process template will address cause-effect pathways and cumulative effects assessments (CEA) that must be considered when implementing spatial planning of marine activities while aiming at safeguarding biodiversity.
Lead: AZTI, partners: all (except HEREON)
T1.3 Developing guidance and good practice examples for EB-MSP
The EB-MSP guidelines will be conceptually developed under T1.1 but operationalised and tested through the Planning Sites. This task will collect standardised feedback on the implementation experiences to be considered in subsequent improved version of the EB-MSP process template and will feed into the development of best practice guidance. The EB-MSP best practice guidance will provide the means to practically align marine conservation planning with MSP and provide the basis for monitoring and evaluation of EB-MSP outcomes. The EB-MSP process template seeks to be flexible for application in any European or Non-European region and will be made publicly available in an interactive web app tool with the aim of reaching potential end-users.
Lead: AZTI, partners: all (except HEREON)
Published Deliverables and Outputs
This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme HORIZON-CL6-2021-BIODIV-01-12 under grant agreement No 101059407 and by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) under the UK government’s Horizon Europe funding guarantee grant numbers 10038951 & 10050537. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or UK Research and Innovation. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.