DISCLOSE Symposium 2019!

Title: DISCLOSE: Rich benthic communities in the Dutch North Sea: discovering, monitoring and conservation
Date: 6 November 2019
Location: Muntgebouw Utrecht, 10 minutes walk from Utrecht CS

This was an interesting day for researchers, policy makers and those involved in the use and conservation of the North Sea ecosystem. DISCLOSE researchers presented their first results on efficient methods for large-scale monitoring of the North Sea bottom and its rich benthic communities. Additionally, potential use of these results in marine conservation were discussed. External marine experts subsequently presented how DISCLOSE contributes to their working field and identify future challenges.

The DISCLOSE project aims to provide detailed maps of the seabed in the North Sea and assess the conditions under which rich communities can grow. Marine seabed habitats and communities are complex to study due to their large surfaces and the obvious water coverage. DISCLOSE therefore takes a multidisciplinary approach, combining acoustic imaging (TUD) with video imaging (UG) and standard seabed sampling techniques (NIOZ), allowing detailed examination of the seabed at a large scale. The North Sea Foundation ensures integration of results in marine policy, collaboration with other projects and the communication to the wider public.

We hope you had a nice day. If you were unable to attend, please find more information on the content of this day here.

The DISCLOSE team

Venue

Muntgebouw Utrecht

Leidseweg 90
3531 BG Utrecht

Program

09:30 Welcome with coffee and tea
10:00 DISCLOSE introduction Floris van Hest (North Sea Foundation)
Acoustic Imaging
10:30 Seafloor characterization with acoustic imaging Mirjam Snellen (TUD)
10:45 High resolution seafloor classification in a sand wave environment Leo Koop (TUD)
11:00 Reflection on the presented work in acoustic imaging Ad Stolk (RWS)
11:20 Coffee break
Benthic biodiversity
11:50 Long-term dynamics in benthic biodiversity Peter Herman (TUD/Deltares)
12:05 Drivers of small-scale variability in benthic communities Tom Ysebaert (NIOZ)
12:20 Reflection on the presented work in benthic biodiversity Gert van Hoey (ILVO)
12:40 Lunch (provided!)
Habitat diversity
13:40 Natural and anthropogenic drivers of habitat resilience Han Olff (UG)
13:55 Mapping the North Sea habitats Karin van der Reijden (UG)
14:10 Scale-dependent functional patterns in the marine benthos Olivier Beauchard (NIOZ)
14:30 Coffee break
Effective conservation
15:00 Effective conservation of the North Sea ecosystem Christiaan van Sluis (North Sea Foundation)
15:15 The need for and potential effects of active habitat restoration Tjeerd Bouma (NIOZ)
15:30 Reflection on the presented work in effective conservation Ton IJlstra (Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality)
15:50 Coffee break
Closure
16:20 Interactive Kahoot discussion Floris van Hest (North Sea Foundation)
16:50 Wrapping up
17:00 Reception
18:00 End