Inventario Español de Patrimonio Natural y de la Biodiversidad

Localized and reusable methodologies and data are key to protecting the marine environment.

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Convened by the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, more than fifty professionals from the public, academic, and private sectors met to advance our understanding of the marine environment through innovative technologies. Among the meeting's conclusions was the need to promote the use of common methodologies and establish data exchange protocols.

The seminar, held on April 9 and 10 with the support of the National Center for Environmental Education , was organized by the General Directorate of Biodiversity, Forests, and Desertification as part of the working group "New Technologies Applied to Ecosystem Knowledge." This fourth edition focused on monitoring coastal and marine ecosystems, which are characterized by their dynamic nature and, in many cases, by their difficult access.

The presentations highlighted both the complexity of data collection in the marine environment and the diversity of approaches used for monitoring it. The methodologies presented included remote sensing, photogrammetry, artificial intelligence, satellite remote sensing, underwater cameras, and autonomous observation systems. Furthermore, the usefulness of these tools in mapping, threat detection, and the management of protected areas was emphasized.

One of the identified needs has been for procedures and methodologies that facilitate more effective data sharing, harmonization, and reuse. In this context, Blanca Ruiz Franco, Deputy Director General of the Integrated Biodiversity Information System , presented the prototype of the system's data and services portal , which allows interested entities to share and consult biodiversity and natural heritage data in a common environment. The objective is to locate data and facilitate its reuse, thereby generating knowledge and making informed decisions.

The exchange between teams with complementary backgrounds served to identify weaknesses, opportunities for improvement, and open up new possibilities for collaboration. Throughout the sessions, it became clear that coordination among diverse stakeholders and the development of common working frameworks are essential to addressing the challenges posed by marine conservation, especially in a context of climate change and increasing pressure on coastal ecosystems.

All information about the seminar and its presentations is available on the CENEAM website: https://www.miteco.gob.es/es/ceneam/grupos-de-trabajo-y-seminarios/patrimonio-natural.html

NOTICIA

Localized and reusable methodologies and data are key to protecting the marine environment.