EDSnet to seek European funding to help deal with environmental disasters
The environmental threat posed by the stranded MSC Napoli off Branscombe beach has illustrated the need for robust and effective decision support systems to assist those responsible for managing risks to the marine environment.
Through it’s six specialist working groups the Environmental Decision Support Network (EDSnet), which has been set up by Marine South East, has worked with experts from the knowledge base and industry to identify the scope for improved crisis management along the coast and look at the wider requirements to improve environmental protection in coastal waters.
Although focused on the South East, EDSnet is not exclusive and has members in other regions. The objective of the programme is to bring organisations together to develop new and innovative projects and products.
EDSnet Vision
• EDSnet will germinate and grow ideas for innovative solutions to address environmental threats through improved decision-making
• It will do this by providing a forum where ‘market pull’ opportunities can connect with ‘science & technology push’ ideas
• Activities will focus on key application areas where advances in core capabilities will enable new products & services
Strategic Application Areas
The work of the working groups has now focused on two strategic areas to seek further funding to continue the work.
Area 1 - Tackling Spills & Incidents
Goal:
‘The development of systems for responding to time-critical events and crises, optimised against environmental, economic & social impacts’.
Project topics
• Application of novel sensor platforms (e.g. AUVs, disposable sensors) and imaging techniques for detection and quantification of spills
• Integration of enhanced metocean model and observation data within spill trajectory forecasting
• Development of socio-economic impact models for use within decision-support tools
Area 2 - Managing Environmental Quality
Goal:
‘The development of systems for managing the status of complex ecosystems, detecting deviation from norms, and forecasting potential liability and the avoidance and management of non-compliance events’.
Project topics:
• Application of novel low-cost sensors, associated meta-data definitions and platforms for enhanced data coverage across sensitive areas
• Development of techniques for integrating ad-hoc observation data within short-term forecasting and eco-s ystem modelling of water quality (e.g. bathing waters)
• Development of biomarker techniques within longer-term environmental management tools, to avoid chronic loss of ecosystem integrity
• Provide new ways of thinking on the sensor side by sharing improvements in forecasting ability
• Improve management through the use of data fusion by assimilating data including image data
These projects can now only continue if funding is put in place to assist the development of these key areas. EDS net and Marine South East are currently seeking funding from a variety of sources and programmes including: DTI technology programme, the European Framework 7 Programme (FP7), Research Council grants etc. Pan-European partnerships are also being set up to provide access to funding sources.
To find out more visit http://www.southeastknp.co.uk/Networks/EDSN
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