The Workshop on the Use of Predictive Habitat Models in ICES Advice (WKPHM2) will contribute towards improving how we use Predictive Habitat Models (PHMs) to identify and protect vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs). By integrating various data sources and refining model criteria, WKPHM2 will provide a basis more accurate and reliable advice on where VMEs are likely to occur, considering factors like climate change and human activities (bottom trawling).
Overview: Knowledge of the distribution of vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) is crucial for managing risks from human activities and predicting the impacts of climate change on sensitive benthic environments. Understanding this distribution requires integrating multiple data types and model outputs to identify both known and likely areas of VME concentration. Predictive Habitat Models (PHMs) have been identified as a valuable tool for determining where VMEs are likely to occur, and standards for their application in ICES advice have been developed (WKPHM). Both WGDEC and WGMHM have evaluated PHMs against these standards, but there is a need to rank these standards by importance.
PHMs are often built at different scales and for various regions or subregions. In some cases, considerable direct observational data currently feeds into ICES advice, but may not have been used to develop PHMs. A framework for integrating data and models at multiple scales and resolutions is needed to provide the best available evidence for estimating where VMEs are likely to occur.
Workshop Goals:
- Exploring Predictive Habitat Models (PHMs): Investigate how PHMs can be used in ICES advice. Showcase case studies to demonstrate their effectiveness in predicting VME locations.
- Refining Model Criteria: Review and improve criteria for using PHMs to ensure reliability and accuracy, especially when applied to different areas. Consider how these models account for the impact of fishing on VMEs.
- Updating Model Information: Update existing information on PHMs, focusing on those used in case studies. Detail their accuracy, data usage, and outputs to support VME advice.
- Creating a Framework: Develop a framework to apply PHMs in ICES advice, integrating multiple model outputs to predict VME likelihood with varying levels of confidence.
- Considering Climate Change: Explore how climate change and ocean acidification affect VMEs and the usefulness of PHMs. Provide suggestions on using PHMs to identify resilient areas and advise on measures to increase resilience.
Registratation for the workshop is closed.
