Marine Technology Unit

Ecosystem-based management (EBM) is essential to maintain healthy, productive and resilient marine ecosystems while sustainably providing ecosystem services leading to the goods and benefits humans want and need. Ecosystem status assessment is essential to the EBM process and there are many and varied methods (or tools) to undertake that assessment in support of EBM. This paper analyses these tools against the characteristics that make them most suited for practical implementation. A total of 34 tools were identified, including 18 generic and 16 specific tools. Information on the characteristics of the available tools was obtained via a structured online survey that was completed by 45 experts. The survey focused on: (i) the purpose and context of the use of a tool (e.g., the EBM elements it addresses, who uses it or in which context it is applied, and its relevance for marine governance); (ii) the type of assessment that the tool provides (e.g., which components of the accepted cause-consequence-response sequence are involved, what spatial and temporal scales are relevant to the assessment); (iii) the requirements of the tool in terms of data (type and variables), expertise/skills and other resources, and (iv) any strengths and weaknesses, including barriers for practical implementation. Similarities and differences in the expert responses were explored between the tools. Each tool was shown to have a specific combination of characteristics, which may make it more or less suitable for practical use depending on the EBM context and elements to which it is applied (i.e., one-size-fits-all does not apply). The tool suitability is also determined by the user-specific requirements for the assessment and this study provides a valuable means to inform the user and guide their decision on which tool(s) to use in the case-specific implementation of the EBM.

Marine spatial planning (MSP) has emerged as a fundamental process for achieving the balanced development of marine ecology, economy, and society. However, increasing conflicts among multiple marine uses, particularly between port development, industrial activities, fisheries, recreation, and ecological protection, highlight the pressing demand for robust and science-based planning tools. In this study, we propose an integrated analytical framework for multi-objective spatial suitability evaluation to optimize MSP. Using the coastal waters of Dalian, China, as a case study, we evaluated the spatial suitability of five key marine activities (ecological protection, mariculture, port construction, wind energy farm development, and coastal tourism) and applied a multi-criteria decision-making approach to inform spatial zoning. The results emphasize the region’s ecological significance as providing critical habitats and migratory corridors for protected and threatened species as well as fishery resources, while also revealing substantial spatial overlaps between conservation priorities and human activities, particularly in nearshore zones. The optimized zoning scheme classifies 22.0% of the coastal waters as Ecological Redline Zones, 32.4% as Ecological Control Zones, and 45.6% as Marine Exploitation Zones. This science-based spatial classification effectively reconciles ecological priorities with development needs, providing a spatially explicit and policy-relevant decision support tool for MSP.

The biological carbon pump comprises a set of processes that transfer organic carbon from the ocean surface to its depths, playing a vital role in the global carbon cycle. Estimating the amount of carbon transported by this pump remains challenging due to the complex, variable nature of its pathways and the limited availability of comprehensive measurements. While the contribution of zooplankton to active flux has been examined, with studies reporting 10-30% of total particle export, the role of micronekton in this process is still poorly understood. Furthermore, the relative capacity of both communities to export carbon remains largely unclear. Here, we report total (zooplankton plus micronekton) active and passive fluxes from the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean around the Iberian Peninsula, to explore how total active flux is influenced by environmental conditions. Water column physical properties differed between the Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean zones, with chlorophyll a values two-fold higher in the upwelling off Portugal. Particulate organic carbon fluxes from sediment traps ranged from 4.24 ± 0.2 to 7.94 ± 3.9 mg C·m -2 ·d -1 . Active flux was dominated by zooplankton in the Mediterranean Sea (77.2 ± 21.2 vs. 14.8 ± 3.4 mg C·m -2 ·d -1 in the Atlantic), whereas micronekton contributed more in the Atlantic Ocean (15.1 ± 9.4 vs. 7.9 ± 6.8 mg C·m -2 ·d -1 ). This pattern shows that active flux far exceeded passive flux in all regions, with pelagic decapods playing a particularly important role in the northern Atlantic. Our results highlight the ecological significance of both zooplankton and micronekton in driving carbon flux, underlining the need to understand their relative contributions across contrasting environments to better explain the functioning of the biological carbon pump.

With the increase in marine spatial planning efforts the need for robust environmental assessments that account for multiple pressures of human activities on marine ecosystems is more critical than ever. However, Cumulative Effects Assessment (CEA) practice, a requirement of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of marine spatial plans, remains insufficient. This paper explores the integration of ecosystem-based approaches into SEA stages for holistic environmental assessments of marine spatial plans that prioritize ecological integrity. It also reviews advancements in marine CEA research, focusing on risk-based approaches for assessing cumulative effects, and addresses the existing disconnection between CEA science and environmental assessment practice. Emphasis is placed on improving key SEA stages that are critical to CEA by identifying principles and approaches that systematically and spatially address the interactions of various pressures and ecosystem receptors across the four dimensions (4D) of marine environments to assess cumulative effects risks. This novel approach, presents a holistic framework aimed at enhancing CEA practice within SEA of marine spatial plans, for more sustainable and ecosystem-focused planning outcomes in marine environments.

SQL supports a wide range of both technical and business-oriented roles within various organizations, reflecting its versatility and importance in the modern data-driven landscape [1,2]. For business users, it is crucial to grasp the nuances of data to effectively extract pertinent and actionable information that can drive decisions and strategies. On the other hand, for technical users, the creation, management, and optimization of databases represent essential tasks that require a deep understanding of SQL’s capabilities. In November 2022, there was a notable selection of standout SQL interview questions that focused on various important topics such as JOINs, Subqueries, Aggregates, GROUP BY, and Multiple-Table queries [3-5]. These questions were carefully collected from recent SQL interviews conducted at some of the world’s leading and most innovative companies, highlighting the growing demand for SQL proficiency in the job market. Preparing for SQL queries can be both a fun experience and a challenging endeavor at the same time. A great starting point is to take a detailed job description and create an SQL portfolio that aligns with the skills and requirements outlined in that description. Following this, one can set up a mock interview by utilizing the query list as a basis. The selected queries provided below span a diverse range of relevant topics, ensuring a comprehensive understanding and application of SQL principles. This process not only enhances one’s knowledge but also boosts confidence in handling real-world SQL challenges.

This study aims to explore the walkability of three small areas (basic healthcare areas) of Barcelona city (Catalonia, Spain) for frail older adults. A mixed methods study design was conducted with 132 frail older adults in three primary care centers of Barcelona: Larrard, Barceloneta, and Vila Olímpica. A literature review was conducted to identify urban design indicators related to walkability and the aging population. These were then reflected in the surveys administered to the program participants, capturing information on their preferred routes, usual destinations, and walkability perceptions. Findings reveal significant mobility challenges for older adults, particularly the ones related to safety issues, the adequacy of sidewalk widths, greenery and urban furniture maintenance, and the presence/absence of commercial activities. This research underscores the importance of age-sensitive urban design in healthcare environments and provides a framework for enhancing walkability and accessibility for populations at greater risk of mobility-related health problems, such as frail older adults.

Coastal flooding due to storms poses significant challenges to both natural environments and human societies, potentially leading to substantial economic losses, community displacement, and disruption of daily life. This study aims to refine the existing Basque coast Early Warning System (EWS) by updating the beach shape information through video monitoring into the high-resolution local hydrodynamic model chain, thus improving the current risk management approach.The Basque coast, spanning ~150 km with around 30 beaches, is highly urbanized. All beaches of the Basque coast are embayed systems bounded by natural or in some cases artificial, outcrops. The coast is facing North, and it is open to North Atlantic swells. The intensity and frequency of storms are seasonally variable with the most energetic periods coinciding with autumn and winter seasons.The EWS relies in two main components, a high-resolution predictive modelling chain and the observation module. The predictive modelling component involves downscaling Copernicus Marine data to provide detailed forecasts of wave conditions and total water levels (TWL) at the beach scale. This includes the use of spectral wave models and phase-resolving models to simulate wave runup and overtopping processes. The observation component utilizes the Basque Videometry Network complemented with a network of in-situ monitoring systems, including wave buoys and tide gauges. The Basque Videometry Network collects morphological (beach shape) and flooding (wave overtopping) information, which is assimilated by the numerical modelling chain to improve the coastal impact forecast and validate the numerical approach.Findings show that excluding the assimilation of beach morphology into the hydrodynamic models can considerably increase the uncertainty of the predictions, thus weakening the proper management of coastal zones during extreme events.