BiodivERsA3: Optimizing and Enhancing the Integrated Atlantic Ocean Observing System

Biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation threaten the sustainable provision of ecosystem services and are major scientific and societal challenges. Addressing this challenge and providing scientific support to stakeholders and policy makers requires a coherent, interdisciplinary research framework, with coordinated strategies and programmes at national, regional and international levels that are relevant scales for many biodiversity-related issues.

Forming a network of 32 funding agencies from 18 countries, BiodivERsA3 aims to strengthen the ERA (European Research Area) in biodiversity. Building on the previous experience of the BiodivERsA1and2 and NetBiome projects, BiodivERsA3 will promote and support coordinated pan-European research on biodiversity and ecosystem systems. It will strengthen the coordination of research and research programmes with the ultimate aim of providing policy makers and other stakeholders with appropriate knowledge, tools and practical solutions to address biodiversity and ecosystem degradation. The objectives are:

• Improve the network’s capacity to coordinate research programmes on biodiversity and ecosystem services in Europe (including overseas territories) and increase the international dimension of BiodivERsA’s activities.
• Develop a multiannual strategic vision of the network’s priorities, based on ambitious mapping and foresight activities developed in collaboration with key initiatives in the sector.
• Design and implement a co-funded call and other joint calls to better integrate research on biodiversity and ecosystem services in Europe.
• Develop a range of other joint activities, in particular aligning national research programmes on biodiversity and ecosystem services and activities to promote mobility and equal opportunities for researchers and strengthen data exchange.
• Effectively promote dialogue between science policy and scientific society (including scientific business) throughout the research process.