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FUTURE-OBS

How can digital traces help to identify and represent human interactions with fragile coastal socio-ecosystems?

The livelihoods of more than 3 billion people depend on coastal marine ecosystems. The "FUTURE-OBS: Augmented Observatory for coastal socio-ecosystems" project is a pioneering initiative to advance the understanding of coastal socio-ecosystems in the face of increasing anthropogenic pressures.

Research

The livelihoods of more than 3 billion people depend on coastal marine ecosystems. Still, pressures driven by human activities and climate change increasingly threaten the sustainability and resilience of these tightly interdependent socio-economic and environmental ecosystems. Long-term observation of coastal environments, biodiversity, and associated socioeconomic uses is critical for understanding the functioning and dynamics of such socio-ecosystems, risk management, and evaluating public policy relevance.

Methods and objectives

The FUTURE-OBS project is a pioneering initiative to advance the understanding of coastal socio-ecosystems in the face of increasing anthropogenic pressures. The project combines traditional ocean observing methods with cutting-edge techniques such as environmental genomics and in situ biodiversity imaging. By using social media data to monitor human interactions with these vulnerable spaces - the work package led by the médialab - the project pushes the boundaries of what is possible to observe and understand these complex systems.

The project's trans-disciplinary work in high-risk areas such as marine façades, marine protected areas, and aquaculture areas represents an exciting opportunity for collaboration between scientists and operational stakeholders.

Fundings and partnership

International Coordination : Eric Thiébaut & Fabrice Not (Sorbonne Université)
Fundings : ANR-21-OCEAN


Partners : 

  • CNRS, 
  • MNHN, 
  • Ifremer, 
  • Fondation nationale des sciences politiques, 
  • réseau des universités marines : Université Littoral Côte d’Opale, Université de Nantes, Université de Bordeaux, Université de Montpellier et Aix-Marseille Université, 
  • Office français de la biodiversité