CLAMER - Climate Change and European Marine Ecosystem Research

Background and Goals

There is a gap between what is known through research and what policy makers and the public know and understand about the effects of climate change on the oceans. This gap needs to be filled to help catalyse formulation and acceptance of the necessary mitigation and adaptation measures for the marine environment. For this reason, CLAMER has compiled and summarized all existing scientific material and outreach products on this topic and carried out a pan-European poll to investigate and improve the awareness and perception in the various European coastal regions.

Objectives:

  • To assess and summarize research results and public perception of climate change impacts on the marine environment, including the socio-economic consequences;
  • To organize an international conference to promote and exploit research results related to climate change impacts on the marine environment and increase public perception;
  • To organize outreach events and activities to obtain wide and balanced information and participation from affected European countries and beyond.

Content time

to

Research area/region

Country
  • Europe
Natural spatial classification
  • coasts: North Sea-/Baltic Sea coasts

Steps in the process of adaptation to climate change

Step 1: Understand and describe climate change

Approach and results 

Use of the IPCC emission scenarios; cooperation with the "Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP).

Parameter (climate signals)
  • Altered rainfall patterns
  • Higher average temperatures
  • Sea level rise und storm surges
Further Parameters 

water temperature

Step 2a: Identify and assess risks - climate effects and impact

Approach and results 

Physical changes in the ocean, e.g. through sea level rise and a rise in water temperature as well as the melting of the Arctic sea-ice cover can cause changes in the food chain, the distribution of organisms, and the migration behaviour of animals. This, in turn, can have consequences for fishing and tourism. Moreover, there is an increased risk of erosion or floods in the coastal regions.

Step 3: Develop and compare measures

Time horizon
  • 2071–2100 (far future)

Participants

Funding / Financing 

European Union

Project management 

Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ)

Cooperation/Partners 

- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR),
- University of East Anglia (UEA),
- Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI),
- Marine Board-ESF (ESF-MB),
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML),
- University of Brest (UBO-IUEM),
- Marche Polytechnic University (UNIVPM),
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS),
- National University of Ireland (NUI),
- Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW),
- Natural Environment Research Council (NOC-NERC),
- Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ),
- Océanopolis (SOPAB),
- Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science (SAHFOS),
- Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC),
- University of Tromso (UoT).

Contact

Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ)
Korringaweg 7
NL-4401 NT Yerseke

Share:
Article:
Printer-friendly version
Fields of action:
 biological diversity  coastal and marine protection  fishery  tourism industry  water regime and water management