CoCliMe

CoCliME focuses on the impacts of climate change on harmful marine microorganisms in European regional seas. It develops regional climate change services involving Case Study specific data analyses, including community diversity (genetic diversity research), laboratory experiments, field studies, analysis of time series, marine-coupled climate modelling, and economic impact modelling. Our job is to co-produce bespoke, proof-of-concepts or prototype climate services related to changing marine ecosystems that support adaptive decision-making. This is achieved by focusing on intensive user co-development, exploitation of existing data sets, new scientific knowledge, and through lessons learned and understanding gained during the project.

• CoCliME documented the environmental, human health and socio-economic impactsfor historic harmful events in coastal areas along the Atlantic, Baltic, Black Sea, Mediterranean, North Sea and Norwegian Sea.

• CoCliME addresses key coastal ecosystem status indicators that can be markedly influenced by climate changeand have direct impacts on human health. We review and fine the indicators periodically throughout the project as new knowledge becomes available. An example of a MECCII relates to the onset of an Ostreopsis blooms. Environmental trends are clear concerning temperature; if the water is warmer earlier in the year then the bloom occurs earlier; 23°C to 24°C is needed for Ostreopsis. A cold spring (April, May & June) = bloom later at end July/start August. A warm spring (April, May & June) = earlier bloom.

• Direct human health impacts of climate change may relate to changes in seafood-borne poisoning and water-quality related health disorders.Also, economic prosperity (fisheries, aquaculture, tourism) and social wellbeing (recreation) may be impacted by climate change. e.g. the (prolonged) closure of shellfish farms and potential loss of markets, due to a toxin producing HAB genera.