Biological Observations Working Group (BIOWG)

Taking Samples. Photo Credit: Getxo marina Ibon, PIE UPVEHU

The EuroGOOS Biological Observations Working Group (BIOWG) works to better integrate biological observation into the EuroGOOS framework. They will contribute to the EuroGOOS 2030 strategy and aims to achieve a cultural change in biological observation from individual efforts into an integrated, and coordinated European effort with global impact to further our understanding of life in the ocean and how it interacts with and influences the environment.

Key Objectives

This working group will focus on developing rigorous and operationally focused standard specifications and operating procedures for the generation of quantitative and qualitative biological data products, so that it may be integrated into current ocean observation programmes and modelling efforts. Its objectives are:

Agree on an initial set of SOPs (Standard Operating Procedure) and data standards for the observation of life via eDNA and multi-omics protocols.
The standardisation and SOPs for Imaging and evaluating how these data may contribute the most effectively to EOVs (Essential Ocean Variable) and EBVs (Essential Biodiversity Variables).
Formulate and implement recommendations for new sensors and autonomous platform development and integration with existing approaches.
Continuously liaise with the Biological and Ecosystems EOV Panel (GOOS) and the EBV development groups (GEO BON) and seek the endorsement of SOPs by targeting these EVs.
Frugal science approaches will be promoted as long-term funding for observation, which is very difficult to obtain, and thus a reduced cost would significantly improve our ability to maintain long-term, well-replicated observatories.
Develop structured obsolescence and on-boarding process for all technologies, methods, and operational models.

List of Members

Co-chairs

Vera Fonseca, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), United Kingdom
Mauro Celussi, National Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics (OGS), Italy

Members

Andreja Ramšak, National Institute of Biology (NIB), Slovenia
Antonio Cascella, National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), Italy
Bengt Karlson, Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI), Sweden
Costas Frangoulis, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), Greece
Daniele Iudicone, Anton Dohrn Zoological Station (SZN), Italy
Francis O’Beirn, Marine Institute (MI), Ireland
Hans H Jakobsen, Aarhus University (AU), Denmark
Helena Hauss, Norwegian Research Centre (NORCE), Norway
Isabella Buttino, Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Italy
Ioulia Santi, European Marine Biological Resource Centre (EMBRC), France
Iveta Jurgensone, Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology (LHEI), Latvia
Julia Uitz, French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), France
Jun She, Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI), Denmark
Kaisa Kraft, Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), Finland
Klaas Deneudt, Flemish Marine Institute (FMI), Belgium
Klas Ove Moeller, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon (Hereon), Germany
Lionel Guidi, French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), France
Lucie Cocquempot, French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (Ifremer), France
Maite Louzao, Fundación AZTI, Spain
Martin Edwards, Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), United Kingdom
Mauro Celussi, National Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics (OGS), Italy
Naiara Rodriguez-Ezpeleta, Fundación AZTI, Spain
Nicolas Pade, European Marine Biological Research Centre (EMBRC), France
Nina Dzhembekova, Institute of Oceanology (BAS), Bulgaria
Pier Luigi Buttigieg, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel (GEOMAR), Germany
Rainer Kiko, Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research (GEOMAR), Germany
Silvana Neves, Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands (PLOCAN), Spain
Sirje Sildever, Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), Estonia
Susan Evans, National Oceanographic Centre (NOC), United Kingdom
Veronique Creach, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), United Kingdom
Wenche Eikrem, Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Norway