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United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development

Influence of 3-dimensional currents induced by a submarine canyon in the health of coastal ecosystems - integration of in situ and satellite data

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Academic institution
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    Description
    Description
    Submarine canyons act as a connection between coastal areas and the open sea, facilitating upwelling and downwelling events, and the exchange of nutrients and sediments between the shelf and the deep water masses. The effect of these nutrient-rich waters in coastal ecosystems is of high relevance in the oligotrophic Mediterranean Sea ecosystem. Fronts and eddies also influence the marine ecosystem through upwelling and downwelling dynamics, from the large scale to the submesoscale.

    The influence of a submarine canyon on coastal ecosystem of the Bay of Calvi (Corsica, France) in the western Mediterranean Sea will be assessed
    with a series of current meters and current profilers, in combination with temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and turbidity data. The main goal is to assess, at different spatial scales (subesoscale to mesoscale) and temporal scales (hourly to interannual), the influence of hydrodynamic features like fronts, eddies, and deep-water intrusions into the marine ecosystem (e.g. phytoplankton blooms and other primary producers). Links and feedback from the large to the small scale will be studied using a combination of in situ data and remote sensed optical and infrared data. Particularly, the use of Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3 data should improve our capacity to study the coastal ocean due to their high spatial and temporal resolution. The development and deployment of small satellites tailored to measure the coastal zones at very high spatial resolution, a field in full expansion nowadays, will open the door to a better understanding of these complex ecosystems. All these in situ and remote-sensed data will be integrated to gain a better understanding of the influence of the dynamics induced by submarine canyons on the health of the ecosystems. This project is financed by the FRS-FNRS of Belgium
    Partners
    University of Liege, Belgium (Academic institution)
    STARESO, France (Scientific community)

    Goal 14

    Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

    Goal 14

    14.1

    By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution

    14.1.1

    (a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density

    14.2

    By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans

    14.2.1

    Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas

    14.3

    Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels

    14.3.1
    Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations

    14.4

    By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics

    14.4.1
    Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels

    14.5

    By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information

    14.5.1
    Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas

    14.6

    By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation

    14.6.1

    Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing

    14.7

    By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism

    14.7.1

    Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries

    14.a

    Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries

    14.a.1
    Proportion of total research budget allocated to research in the field of marine technology

    14.b

    Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets

    14.b.1

    Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries

    14.c

    Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"

    14.c.1

    Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources

    Name Description
    14.2 By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
    Deployment of a small network of current meters and current profilers
    Scientific publications about the influence of the dynamics induced by submarine canyons on the health of the ecosystems
    Financing (in USD)
    200000
    Staff / Technical expertise
    Scientists and technical staff working on the project
    No progress reports have been submitted. Please sign in and click here to submit one.
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    Timeline
    01 January 1970 (start date)
    01 January 1970 (date of completion)
    Entity
    University of Liege
    SDGs
    Geographical coverage
    Alle du 6 Aot, 19, Bt. B5a, 4000 Lige, Belgium
    Ocean Basins
    Global
    Communities of Ocean Action
    Marine and coastal ecosystems management
    Website/More information
    N/A
    Countries
    N/A
    Contact Information

    Aida Alvera-Azcarate, Researcher