Ecological vulnerability appraisal
EcoSEM
A simplified and highly visual representation of the different cause-and-effect relationships among the environmental components from which ecosystem function and services emerge.
Deriving faunal function from Zooscan imagery
Digital scanning of individual organisms to calculate size and biomass. This then can be collated with feeding and respiration information to provide improved estimates of population dynamics and overall ecosystem functioning.
Physical Natural Capital Accounts
EcoFunMAP + PlanWise4Blue
A cumulative impact assessment tool that combines with EcoFunMAP (Food Web-based Ecosystem Functioning Mapping and Assessment Platform). Integrates food-web modelling with species biomass to map indicators of food-web structure, stability, and functioning at scales relevant for marine spatial planning.
TeloStress
Telomeres are the end-part of chromosomes and protect them from progressive degradation. Stress can lead to telomere shortening, in turn causing accelerated physical ageing and decreasing lifespan. Measuring this can indicate sub-lethal stress.
EUTROPY
Model to integrate nutrient loading pathways, ecosystem responses, and management scenarios in aquatic systems. It provides simplified long-term simulations of scenarios across lakes, lagoons, estuaries, and coastal waters.
eDNA
Environmental DNA (eDNA) from organisms is detectable in the environment, using shed material (skin, mucus, faeces etc.). It traces the presence of species without need for capture or direct observations.
Micro-CT scanner
An X-ray imaging technique to produce 3D visualization of both internal and external structures of marine organisms (plankton, sponges etc.). It can provide insights on changes in key species functions (filtration, reef-building etc.) in response to environmental changes.
Ecological Value Assessment
Assigning ecological value to an area through integration of the inherent value of the various ecosystem components, independent of human uses and is measured in non-monetary terms.