3rd Co-Design/Co-Creation Workshop
Targeted Online Sessions
eDNA and AI Imaging Approaches for Biological Indicators (T2.3 & T5.2)
eDNA-based EBVs (D2.4)
Spatial Mapping of Blue Carbon Benefits (T5.3)
About the event
This was the 3rd mobilisation of MARCO-BOLO’s Community of Practice (CoP) representing generators and users of marine biodiversity data, products and services in the EU and internationally.
Building on the outcomes and lessons learned from the 1st and 2nd Co-Design/Co-Creation Workshops, three targeted online sessions were held between MARCO-BOLO technical colleagues and selected stakeholders for the following products:
- T2.3 – Comparison of spatial and temporal eDNA-based vs traditional observations.
- T5.2 – Application of integrative approaches to established biological indicators.
- D2.4 – Report on the definition of eDNA-based EBVs with associated eDNA-based EBVs datasets and efficiency of eDNA for detecting/quantifying taxa/species of interest (due by the end of 2025).
- T5.3 – Spatial mapping of Blue Carbon benefits.
Each workshop was structured into a 1 ½ hour online session with the following programme:
- Brief introduction to the MARCO-BOLO Project.
- Presentations from technical task leads.
- Participants invited to provide feedback as follows:
- Chat
- Open question and discussion
- Mural board with a list of questions that participants could answer anonymously.
The current progress of work for each product was presented, and targeted experts engaged participants as potential users in the discussions.
The workshops brought together almost fifty external biodiversity and marine data experts and other stakeholders, including representatives from DG ENV, DG RTD, CINEA, Regional Sea Conventions, GOOS BioEco Panel, sister EU Horizon projects (Biodiversa+, EuropaBON, OBAMA-NEXT, BioEcoOcean), national institutions, academia and research, private sector, and other organisations responsible for marine biodiversity monitoring across the EU, UK and internationally. Among these, countries like Belgium, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, and other countries were represented.
Aligned with the co-design concept, these sessions provided invaluable user feedback to guide further development of each product. The following section provides a general overview and summary of outcomes and commitments for each workshop.
Co-creation Workshop on eDNA and AI Imaging Approaches for Biological Indicators (T2.3 & T5.2)
Monday, 23 June 2025 @ 15:00-16:30 CET
Overview
The first product (T2.3) is a report examining the patterns and changes in microbial plankton diversity at the Western Channel Observatory coastal site (‘Station L4’), as observed through a twenty-year dataset of eDNA metabarcode samples (total eukaryotes: 18S rRNA gene, V9 region). These are being compared to complementary results obtained via ‘traditional’ biodiversity methods (i.e., Lugols microscopy; flow cytometry), considering similarities and discordances between the patterns in alpha and beta biodiversity derived from these observations, and discussing the implications of the information obtained.
The second product (T5.2) focuses on the application of integrative approaches, such as AI-processed plankton imaging data and eDNA data, on biological indicators, including OSPAR/MSFD pelagic habitat indicators. The aim is to optimise the indicator workflows to account for genetic monitoring data and AI-processed imaging data.
Summary of outcomes and final commitments
The discussions between technical colleagues and participants highlighted the importance of investigating the cost-effectiveness of using eDNA methods and comparing those to ‘traditional’ and AI imaging approaches. The task leads agreed that it would be highly beneficial to conduct this cost analysis and to compile a recommendations document which includes cost-effectiveness. A limitation with this would be obtaining accurate costings from organisations so they will be investigating whether this is possible.
The need to align eDNA methods with current traditional methods was also highlighted to allow both to be incorporated and be complementary to each other when measuring biodiversity and calculating indicators for MSFD monitoring of Good Environmental Status.
The results of this task will be reported in a scientific document demonstrating the value of novel observation approaches for established biological indicators, and participants were informed that any contributions resulting from this co-creation workshop would be acknowledged in this document and in any publications.
Co-creation Workshop on eDNA-based EBVs (D2.4)
Friday, 27 June 2025 @ 10:30-12:00 CET
D2.4 – Report on the definition of eDNA-based EBVs with associated eDNA-based EBVs datasets and efficiency of eDNA for detecting/quantifying taxa/species of interest.
Task lead/presenter: Pedro Junger, CNRS
Overview
The D2.4 product is a report on the definition of eDNA-based EBVs and the efficiency of eDNA for detecting/quantifying taxa/species of interest, including indicators. It aims to validate the use of eDNA for marine environmental monitoring by deriving eDNA-based measures and variables in line with the Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs), Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) and Water Framework Directive (WFD). EBVs are biodiversity metrics at the species or ecosystem level that are measured over space and time with a defined resolution. The EBV data can be used for analysis, modelling and reporting biodiversity change to stakeholders.
Summary of outcomes and final commitments
There was a general agreement for the need for more case studies, clear standards for EBV data/metadata, and robust pipelines and workflows for using eDNA to measure marine biodiversity observations for indicators.
As part of D2.4, eDNA-based EBVs will be generated and properly deposited in public repositories as discussed during the co-creation workshop and reported in the above section. Notably, eDNA-based plankton EBVs from the Tara Oceans are being generated, and from two long-term time-series: the SOMLIT-Astan off Roscoff, France, and the L4 Station off Plymouth, UK. Four EUROPABON EBVs were identified as feasible to measure with eDNA for plankton:
Also to be generated are eDNA-based fish EBVs from the L4 Station using the fish-specific 12S metabarcoding primers from the Arctic University of Norway. For fish, the only EBV that was found to be measurable with eDNA was the Species distributions of marine fishes. Similarly, in collaboration with partners from CIIMAR (Portugal), eDNA-based EBV for cetaceans on the coast of Portugal will be generated: Species distributions of marine mammals. Furthermore, it is planned that GOOS EOVs from the same case studies’ datasets, following clear standards, will be generated.
Co-creation Workshop on Spatial Mapping of Blue Carbon Benefits (T5.3)
Friday, 27 June 2025 @ 14:30-16:00 CET
T5.3 – Spatial Mapping of Blue Carbon Benefits
Task lead/presenter: Natalya Gallo, NORCE
Overview
Task 5.3 focuses on estimating blue carbon storage in European seagrass habitats using satellite remote sensing data and environmental predictors. This work aims to model how environmental variables can help predict sediment organic carbon storage in areas where direct measurements are lacking, thereby supporting carbon accounting and conservation planning efforts.
Seagrass meadows were chosen as the focal ecosystem due to their significant role in carbon sequestration within European coastal waters. The model integrates satellite-derived datasets, such as those from Sentinel-3, with large-scale environmental products from Copernicus, to identify variables like water clarity, chlorophyll levels, bottom temperature, and current velocities, which might influence carbon storage in seagrass sediments. While satellite imagery has traditionally been used to map seagrass extent and above-ground biomass, these observations need to be linked to below-ground carbon stocks, where most of the carbon in seagrass systems is stored.
Summary of outcomes and final commitments
One of the questions was about the best metric to report for carbon stocks, with responses leaning toward expressing results in terms of percentage organic rather than carbon density (mass per area), but it would ultimately depend on what the correlation is between the two and what the data are being used for. The importance of selecting appropriate depths for carbon accounting was also highlighted, with many suggesting that both the upper 30 cm and upper 1 meter of sediment should be reported, reflecting both ecological vulnerability and standard reporting practices.
There are current gaps in seagrass mapping data, particularly in regions like the Baltic Sea, so participants emphasised the importance of incorporating absence data and updated spatial datasets, such as those being developed in projects like OBAMA-NEXT. They discussed the potential for combining high-resolution drone surveys with satellite data to improve seagrass distribution maps. Several participants expressed interest in integrating the modelling results into decision-making tools, suggesting that a user-friendly virtual research environment would be valuable if it could deliver carbon stock estimates for specific regions without needing coding expertise.
There were suggestions from attendees to include outputs in formats that are relevant for policy and non-scientific users, e.g. total organic carbon for a given area rather than percentage/density measurements.
Many of the participants expressed an interest in continued collaboration and data sharing, to refine both the spatial mapping of seagrass habitats and the modelling of sediment carbon stocks being carried out in T5.3.