Description
Major marine biodiversity hotspots occur within and around extended three-dimensional communities known as Marine Animal Forests (MAFs). MAFs are biotic assemblages mainly composed of suspension-feeding organisms like sponges, gorgonians, hard corals, bryozoans, bivalves, etc., that form canopies like the trees or shrubs on land, thus creating underwater forests. As Aichi targets have been impossible to achieve by 2020, we need networks that allow working together for the same objective, with special attention to marine ecosystems as the MAFs. These submersed forests provide ecosystem services which are essential for hundreds of million people worldwide. In this UN decade of the oceans, we aim to provide the scientific basis for understanding and preserving the ecosystem services of the MAFs throughout the world. These ecosystem services are under increasing anthropogenic pressure and need a clear unifying picture to be shared with stakeholders and public. Developing a common protocol and gathering a consensus on the most appropriate tools to study and understand the animal forests’ role, will ultimately inform management, restoration and conservation initiatives. The network aims to develop an integrative vision that will fuel research and steer future policies on crosscutting sustainability-driven issues related to the fragmented governance of these benthic ecosystems in coastal and open ocean waters, creating cross-sectoral platform for partners across academia, policymaking and civil society, offering inclusive spaces for a transdisciplinary dialogue. We will also unify the protocols for restoration of the MAFs of the World, with nature-based solutions, to face climate change, natural disasters, and food supply.
Action keywords
Marine biology and ecology - Marine conservation and restoration - Global change - Benthic integrated management - Blue growth
Management Committee
Country | MC Member |
---|---|
Albania | |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | |
Bulgaria | |
Bulgaria | |
Croatia | |
Croatia | |
Cyprus | |
Cyprus | |
Denmark | |
Denmark | |
Estonia | |
France | |
Germany | |
Germany | |
Greece | |
Greece | |
Iceland | |
Iceland | |
Ireland | |
Ireland | |
Israel | |
Israel | |
Italy | |
Italy | |
Malta | |
Malta | |
Montenegro | |
Montenegro | |
North Macedonia | |
Norway | |
Poland | |
Portugal | |
Portugal | |
Serbia | |
Slovenia | |
Spain | |
Spain | |
Sweden | |
Türkiye | |
Türkiye | |
United Kingdom | |
United Kingdom |
Main Contacts
Action Contacts
COST Staff
Leadership
Role | Leader |
---|---|
Action Chair | |
Action Vice-Chair | |
Grant Holder Scientific Representative | |
Science Communication Coordinator | |
Grant Awarding Coordinator | |
WG1 Leader | |
WG2 Leader | |
WG3 Leader | |
WG4 Leader | |
WG5 Leader | |
WG6 Leader | |
WG7 Leader | |
WG8 Leader |
Working Groups
Number | Title | Leader |
---|---|---|
1 | Coordination of the COST Network | |
2 | Underwater mapping, biogeography and biodiversity | |
3 | Direct and indirect threats | |
4 | Historical Ecology | |
5 | Trophic ecology, benthic-pelagic coupling and dispersal strategies | |
6 | Natural capital, ecosystem functions and services quantification | |
7 | Conservation and restoration measures | |
8 | Dissemination, Communication, and Bottom-up Policies |
Express your interest to join any of the working groups by applying below.
It is required to have an e-COST profile to submit your application. If needed, create it first and then click 'Apply'.
ApplyMembership
Name | Working Group | Country |
---|---|---|
WG 1, WG 3, WG 5, WG 6, WG 7 | Slovenia | |
WG 1, WG 2, WG 3, WG 4, WG 5, WG 7 | Spain | |
WG 1, WG 8 | Spain | |
WG 1, WG 2, WG 3, WG 4, WG 5, WG 6, WG 7, WG 8 | Türkiye | |
WG 1, WG 2, WG 5, WG 7 | Ireland | |
WG 1, WG 3, WG 7, WG 8 | Spain | |
WG 1, WG 2, WG 3, WG 7 | Italy | |
WG 1, WG 2, WG 3, WG 7 | ||
WG 1, WG 2, WG 3, WG 6, WG 7, WG 8 | ||
WG 1, WG 2, WG 3, WG 4, WG 5, WG 6, WG 7, WG 8 | Italy | |
WG 1, WG 2, WG 3, WG 7, WG 8 | ||
WG 1, WG 2, WG 3, WG 5, WG 6, WG 7, WG 8 | Greece | |
WG 1, WG 2, WG 3, WG 5 | Türkiye | |
WG 1, WG 2, WG 3, WG 4, WG 5, WG 6, WG 7, WG 8 | Türkiye | |
WG 1, WG 2, WG 3, WG 4, WG 5, WG 6, WG 7, WG 8 | ||
WG 1, WG 3, WG 6, WG 7 | Türkiye | |
WG 1, WG 2, WG 3, WG 5 | Türkiye | |
WG 1, WG 2, WG 3, WG 4, WG 5, WG 6, WG 7, WG 8 | ||
WG 1, WG 7 | Spain | |
WG 1, WG 2, WG 3, WG 4, WG 5, WG 6, WG 7, WG 8 | Türkiye | |
WG 1, WG 8 | Greece | |
WG 1, WG 2, WG 3, WG 4, WG 5, WG 6 | Türkiye | |
WG 1, WG 2, WG 3, WG 4, WG 5, WG 6, WG 7, WG 8 | Egypt | |
WG 1, WG 2, WG 6, WG 7 | Israel | |
WG 1, WG 3, WG 5, WG 6, WG 7 | Türkiye | |
WG 1, WG 2, WG 3, WG 5, WG 6 | Azerbaijan | |
WG 1, WG 2, WG 3, WG 5, WG 7 | Türkiye | |
WG 1, WG 2, WG 3, WG 4, WG 5, WG 6, WG 7, WG 8 | Türkiye | |
WG 1, WG 2, WG 3, WG 4, WG 5, WG 6, WG 7, WG 8 | Italy | |
WG 2 | Malta | |
WG 2, WG 3, WG 7 | ||
WG 2 | ||
WG 2, WG 5 | Ireland | |
WG 2, WG 5, WG 7 | ||
WG 2, WG 3, WG 5, WG 7 | Spain | |
WG 2, WG 7 | Türkiye | |
WG 2, WG 3, WG 4, WG 5, WG 6, WG 7, WG 8 | Israel | |
WG 2, WG 5 | Italy | |
WG 2, WG 3, WG 4 | ||
WG 2, WG 5 | ||
WG 2, WG 5, WG 8 | Denmark | |
WG 2, WG 3, WG 7 | ||
WG 2, WG 8 | Switzerland | |
WG 2 | Ireland | |
WG 2, WG 5 | Türkiye | |
WG 2, WG 3, WG 4, WG 7 | Portugal | |
WG 2, WG 4, WG 5, WG 7, WG 8 | Italy | |
WG 2, WG 6 | Spain | |
WG 2, WG 6, WG 7 | Estonia | |
WG 2, WG 4, WG 5, WG 7, WG 8 | Italy | |
WG 2, WG 7, WG 8 | ||
WG 2, WG 6, WG 7 | ||
WG 2 | ||
WG 2, WG 3 | Malta | |
WG 2, WG 5, WG 6, WG 7 | ||
WG 2, WG 3, WG 7, WG 8 | Cyprus | |
WG 2, WG 3, WG 5 | ||
WG 2, WG 3, WG 6, WG 7, WG 8 | ||
WG 2 | ||
WG 2, WG 3, WG 7, WG 8 | Greece | |
WG 2, WG 3, WG 7 | ||
WG 2, WG 3, WG 5, WG 7 | Portugal | |
WG 2, WG 5, WG 6, WG 7 | Ireland | |
WG 2, WG 3, WG 5, WG 8 | ||
WG 2, WG 7 | Spain | |
WG 2, WG 4 | Italy | |
WG 2, WG 6, WG 7 | Spain | |
WG 2, WG 5 | ||
WG 2, WG 4, WG 5, WG 7 | Poland | |
WG 2, WG 3, WG 7 | Spain | |
WG 2, WG 3, WG 6, WG 7 | Croatia | |
WG 2, WG 6, WG 7 | Montenegro | |
WG 2 | ||
WG 2 | Brazil | |
WG 2, WG 3, WG 5, WG 6, WG 7 | Türkiye | |
WG 2, WG 3, WG 5, WG 6, WG 7, WG 8 | Greece | |
WG 2, WG 7, WG 8 | Montenegro | |
WG 2, WG 5, WG 6, WG 8 | Taiwan | |
WG 2, WG 3, WG 5, WG 6, WG 7, WG 8 | South Africa | |
WG 2 | Spain | |
WG 2, WG 3, WG 7 | Italy | |
WG 2, WG 3, WG 7, WG 8 | Greece | |
WG 2, WG 7, WG 8 | Bulgaria | |
WG 2, WG 5 | Italy | |
WG 2, WG 3, WG 5, WG 6, WG 7 | Estonia | |
WG 2 | Bulgaria | |
WG 2, WG 5 | Portugal | |
WG 2, WG 5 | Germany | |
WG 2, WG 3, WG 5 | Iceland | |
WG 2, WG 3, WG 5, WG 6 | United Kingdom | |
WG 2, WG 5, WG 6, WG 7 | Israel | |
WG 2 | ||
WG 2, WG 3, WG 5, WG 6, WG 7 | Italy | |
WG 2, WG 3, WG 7 | Spain | |
WG 2, WG 3, WG 4, WG 5, WG 6, WG 7, WG 8 | Greece | |
WG 2 | Taiwan | |
WG 2 | ||
WG 2 | Germany | |
WG 2, WG 3, WG 5, WG 6, WG 7 | Portugal | |
WG 2, WG 3, WG 6, WG 7 | ||
WG 2 | ||
WG 2, WG 3 | Taiwan | |
WG 2, WG 3, WG 5, WG 7 | Portugal | |
WG 2, WG 3, WG 6, WG 7 | Taiwan | |
WG 2, WG 3, WG 5, WG 6, WG 7, WG 8 | Norway | |
WG 2, WG 6, WG 7, WG 8 | Türkiye | |
WG 2 | Austria | |
WG 2, WG 3, WG 4, WG 6, WG 7, WG 8 | Italy | |
WG 2, WG 3, WG 5, WG 6 | ||
WG 2, WG 3, WG 5, WG 6, WG 7 | Bosnia & Herzegovina | |
WG 2, WG 5, WG 7 | ||
WG 2, WG 7 | Italy | |
WG 2 | Portugal | |
WG 2, WG 3, WG 7 | Norway | |
WG 2, WG 3, WG 5 | ||
WG 2, WG 7 | Portugal | |
WG 2, WG 5 | France | |
WG 2, WG 8 | Spain | |
WG 2, WG 7 | Italy | |
WG 2, WG 3, WG 7, WG 8 | Türkiye | |
WG 2 | Bosnia & Herzegovina | |
WG 2, WG 7, WG 8 | Canada | |
WG 2 | Brazil | |
WG 2 | Saudi Arabia | |
WG 2, WG 4, WG 5, WG 7 | Portugal | |
WG 2, WG 5, WG 7 | Portugal | |
WG 2, WG 8 | Türkiye | |
WG 2, WG 6, WG 7 | United Kingdom | |
WG 2, WG 8 | Türkiye | |
WG 2 | South Africa | |
WG 2, WG 5 | France | |
WG 2, WG 5, WG 7 | Sweden | |
WG 2, WG 3, WG 7 | Türkiye | |
WG 2 | Sweden | |
WG 2, WG 6, WG 7 | Portugal | |
WG 2 | Portugal | |
WG 2, WG 3, WG 5, WG 7 | Italy | |
WG 2 | Portugal | |
WG 2, WG 7 | Türkiye | |
WG 2, WG 8 | United States | |
WG 2, WG 3, WG 7 | France | |
WG 2 | Italy | |
WG 2, WG 3, WG 6, WG 7, WG 8 | Türkiye | |
WG 2, WG 3, WG 4, WG 6, WG 7 | Taiwan | |
WG 2, WG 3 | Taiwan | |