Moving forward from analytical and theoretical EAF to an efficient and applied management of marine living resources based in the ecosystem knowledge is the main challenge of marine and fisheries ecologists in the 21st century. This needs an intensive effort of integrating knowledge from different ecosystems and approaches to link the ecosystem knowledge to the assessment procedures. There are important challenges to deal with EAF in both the Mediterranean and Atlantic areas, and different ways of approaching the challenges in both regions. This working group aims at generating comparative knowledge of processes in both regions to inform EAF. It also aims to strengthen the scientific basis for regional and integrated ecosystem approach through a comparative platform of research.
A comparative approach of marine ecosystems is essential to learn how Mediterranean and Atlantic ecosystems are structured, how they function, and which are the more sensitive species or ecological processes to be managed within the ecosystem dynamics. This working group will investigate common processes and scientific challenges to contribute to the comparative knowledge of both systems within the context of regional European Seas.
Immediate objectives of the group will be to:
- assess the functional biodiversity of demersal and benthic assemblages across Mediterranean and Atlantic systems
- integrate the complexity of marine biota to understand how ecosystem structure and connectivity support the stability of communities
- investigate resilience and mechanisms of change in complex marine systems impacted by anthropogenic and environmental drivers
- explore potential options to integrate ecological and socio-economic dimension's to support integrated fisheries advice and marine management.
