- Lead Scientist: Saskia A. Otto, Institute for Hydrobiology and Fisheries Science, Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability (CEN), KlimaCampus, University of Hamburg, Germany.
- Co-scientist: Geir Ottersen, Research Group of Oceanography and Climate, Institute of Marine Research, Norway.
Project Objectives
Integrated ecosystem assessments (IEA) are a set of approaches for organizing science in order to inform decisions in marine ecosystem assessments at multiple scales and across sectors. IEAs collate and analyse information of a wide range of ecosystem components and pressures. IEAs provide knowledge of the status, changes, relationships, and processes in an ecosystem. Within ICES, several working groups targeting IEA for different geographical areas have been established over the recent years. Despite the ICES IEA WGs being well coordinated, different approaches are being explored and there remains a need for further exchange of methodological expertise and experiences. IEA-Exchange aims to enhance the scientific foundation for an ecosystem approach to management of, in particular, the Norwegian and Barents Seas by transfer of knowledge on methods for IEA from other regions. The intent is a two-way exchange of knowledge so that also the non-Norwegian project members will gain knowledge that can be applied to their own systems.
We wish to review, compare, and evaluate existing methodologies for IEA and, if necessary, adjust these into the best feasible methods for running evaluations and assessments of the Norwegian and Barents Seas.
The project will contribute to a review of methodologies applied for IEA, intended to be published as a peer reviewed journal article. Towards this a workshop on IEA will be arranged. Both experienced IEA WG chairs and early career scientists will be invited.
The proposed plan supports ICES activities by contributing directly towards Goal 1 in the Strategic Plan and, in a longer time frame, hopefully also Goals 2 and 3.
Other scientists involved
Research Director and Co-chair WGINOR Geir Huse, Institute of Marine Research
Senior Scientist and Co-chair WGIBAR Edda Johannesen, Institute of Marine Research
Program Manager, Ecosystem Science Phillip Levin, NOAA,Northwest Fisheries Science Center, USA
Professor, Co-chair WGIAB and WGINOSE,Christian Möllmann, University of Hamburg
