There is an ongoing challenge to maintain sustained ocean observations. This is partly due to funding issues linked to a lack of understanding among non-specialists as to their importance. There are also challenges around coordination and oversight, which can be confusing as we attempt to maintain time-series over large temporal and spatial scales.
The challenges are even more pronounced when we consider biological as opposed to oceanographic observatories.
This talk highlighted some of the extremely important work that has come out of biological observatories, often linked to some of the approximately 1400 marine laboratories located around the world’s coastlines. It also highlighted why long-term biological observations are vital for addressing some of society’s most important issues today and put forward ideas for ensuring that they are recognised as a vital long-term resource for policy-makers.
You can view the presentation here.
Registration & location:
The event took place at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences in Brussels in the VIP room. Address: Vautierstreet 29, 1000 Brussels.
Registration is now closed.