IOS4DOM

CIDEGENT/2021/058

This research proposal aims to swiftly advance the development of new marine biodiversity observing systems and move towards new frontiers in operational ecology to support the adaptive management of marine resources. We will direct the research through a multidisciplinary approach, combining recent advances in quantitative methods (e.g. machine learning, movement analysis) with new molecular (DNA metabarcoding), and technological developments (underwater drones, earth observations, bio-logging), which offer unprecedented opportunities to simultaneously monitor marine animal movement and biodiversity, ship-based activities and the marine environment. We will led an innovative multi-platform experiment using a unique combination of ocean gliders, aerial surveys, ocean research vessel surveys and the Automated Identification System (AIS) vessel tracking to simultaneously monitor changes in ocean life, ocean characteristics, and human activities. Results will allow the linking of key enabling ocean observation technologies to their application in assessing the potential impacts from anthropogenic activities and promoting the sustainable development of maritime industries. The combined skill-set of the research team will allow to address fundamental, timely and important questions about human mobility, animal ecology and conservation. Overall, this project will provide an innovative and cost-effective approach for non-invasive monitoring of marine ecosystems using autonomous underwater vehicles, which will contribute to the sustainable development of the blue economy and marine management.

marine megafauna, conservation, robotics, machine learning, molecular biology, operational oceanography

• Jessica Harvey-Carroll - University of St Andrews (UK)

Unitat de Zoologia Marina

Institut Cavanilles Biodiversitat i Biol. Evolutiva (ICBBE)

c/ Catedrático José Beltrán, 2 46980 Paterna. València

david.march@uv.es