Result description
The CoastObs phytoplankton size class product identifies the cell size distribution in coastal waters which is especially relevant for aquaculture managers and producers
Phytoplankton size class (PSC) is an indicator of cell size, and considered to reflect the ecological and biogeochemical functional role of the phytoplankton present in the water column. PSC has impacts on phytoplankton physiology, the marine food web, fish production, metabolic rates and bivalve growth and condition. Thus, it is important to be able to monitor PSCs, particularly in dynamic coastal waters where there are frequent changes in nutrients and phytoplankton community structure. Information on PSCs is of particular importance to managers and aquaculture producers, as it directly reflects food availability and quality.
Earth observation (EO) provides the opportunity to monitor the frequent changes in phytoplankton abundance in coastal waters, using the photosynthetic pigment chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) as a proxy. The CoastObs PSC model is derived from either Chl-a or spectral absorption properties of the water, providing abundance of three phytoplankton size classes: pico- (<2 µm), nano- (2-20 µm) and micro-phytoplankton (>20 µm).
Addressing target audiences and expressing needs
- Grants and Subsidies
- Loans
- Expanding to more markets /finding new customers
The size structure of phytoplankton communities has implications for food chain length and the energy transfer efficiency to zooplankton. For example, being phytoplankton recognised as the primary source of food for cultured mussels, small phytoplankton (<5 μm) are often not efficiently retained as food and therefore phytoplankton size can affect bivalve growth and condition. Knowing the phytoplankton primary productions is of relevance to carbon cycling, fisheries & aquaculture management.
- Others/ No specific audience
- Public or private funding institutions
- Other Actors who can help us fulfil our market potential
R&D, Technology and Innovation aspects
Various Earth Observation based PSC models have been tested and regionally tuned with further validation ongoing.
The services can be rolled out to other areas
Methods are well documented
Earth Observation is a sustainable way of monitoring
- Europe
Result submitted to Horizon Results Platform by BIO-LITTORAL
