Pressure assessment of MARine activities (PMAR) module#
Description#
Dispersion and connectivity modelling
Tools incorporating connectivity through the explicit consideration of dispersion (active and passive) and migration processes (functional connectivity) and seascape features that facilitate or prevent the movement of organisms (structural connectivity) are still rare.
Currently, Zonation 5 and PlanWise4Blue are able to consider connectivity in their prioritization algorithms. This is mainly done through the consideration of structural aspects of habitats that facilitate the movement of species (habitat cohesion and integrity, corridors) when prioritizing different conservation strategies.
Functional connectivity, i.e., the actual movement of organisms, has not been explicitly and effectively incorporated in the assessed tools. The difficulties to generate reliable data (thing that has been changing in the last decade with the improvement of tracking technologies and methods for the analysis of genetic and chemical markers) and the computational demands of algorithms used to model different connectivity processes have prevented the effective consideration of functional connectivity in decision-making processes. However, a recent academic exercise using Symphony has shown how to incorporate information on larval dispersion derived from a Lagrangian particle-tracking model in a CEA (Jonsson et al., 2021).
Source: Kotta et al. (2024) Ecological toolkit (ESE1) for MPAs prioritization and networking. Deliverable – D3.4., under the WP3 of MSP4BIO project (GA n° 101060707)
Pressure assessment of MARine activities (PMAR) module
The Pressure assessment of MARine activities (PMAR) module is both a stand-alone tool and an operational integration to the Tools4MSP CEA framework. The CEA module relies on pressure-specific models, which may not always be available or comprehensive. To overcome this challenge, the PMAR approach uses Lagrangian particle tracking algorithms to produce intermediate-quality models that simulate the spread of certain anthropogenic pressures. This enhancement expands the versatility of the CEA tool, allowing for the consideration of a wider range of use, pressure, and receptor combinations. Furthermore, it introduces an innovative approach for exploring potential future scenarios. PMAR requires two types of input: oceanographic and atmospheric data to drive particle dispersal and trajectory calculations using OpenDrift (as described by Dagestad et al., 2018), and georeferenced layers of human activities, which act as the origins of pressure propagation. Oceanographic and atmospheric data can be directly streamed from well-known open-source European data infrastructures, including the Copernicus Marine Data Store. PMAR generates georeferenced layers that illustrate the spread of pressures from specified human activities within the area of interest. These layers can be directly analysed to study the pressures or integrated into the CEA module for a comprehensive evaluation of cumulative effects. PMAR standardises input layers by defining the area of interest and implementing a uniform grid system. It enables customisation of the pressure model by adjusting parameters that define the physical properties of the virtual particles, such as buoyancy or decay rate. To reduce the impact of seasonal or annual variations in ocean currents or wind patterns, it combines results from multiple simulations conducted over various time frames. PMAR is a tool designed to assist with marine management and decision-making processes, specifically tailored to MSP. It includes features such as trajectory aggregation methods (allowing the output layer to display either average or maximum trajectory concentrations within the area), the ability to prioritize different human activity layers through weighting, and the option to focus on a specific subsection of the spatial domain. The software’s enhanced capabilities also include a vertical dimension for conducting 3D simulations. This allows for the examination of phenomena such as particle sinking, sedimentation, and distribution within the water column. Additionally, the tool enables the addition of various particle types, including oil from spills. It also provides the functionality to filter particles based on their ‘status’, whether they are in active transport or have ceased movement due to beaching or sinking. PMAR is fully integrated and operational on the Tools4MSP Geoplatform. Users can create a PMAR case study, select a specific domain region, upload necessary human activity layers, adjust particle characteristics, and initiate the simulation. The generated output can be downloaded as a geotiff file, incorporated into the Geoplatform’s layer database, or added to a map interface for dynamic exploration and analysis.
Source: Kotta et al. (2024) Ecological toolkit (ESE1) for MPAs prioritization and networking. Deliverable – D3.4., under the WP3 of MSP4BIO project (GA n° 101060707)