Action #9: Promotion of the use of PSS data and products

Objectives: Aims of PSSs are to harmonize regional observations, integrate transnational operations, jointly steer data collection, provide joint products with added value and connect to other regions. Such actions have a strong need for regional coordination, which is not only the task for JERICO-RI but also other regional initiatives. This action will disseminate the results from GoF PSS to major regional actors and ask for their feedback to develop observation strategies further. The integrated coastal observations done within GoF PSS, as well as the overall sampling strategy of coastal JERICO-RI Supersites, will be communicated to regional actors, especially HELCOM, EUBSR, and BOOS.

Action Lead and other Partners (with contact persons): TALTECH (Lips), IOW (Rehder), SYKE (Seppälä)

JS3 Platforms included: FerryBox: Silja Serenade and Finnmaid (SYKE, FMI, IOW), Silja Europa (TALTECH), Utö Observatory (FMI, SYKE), Keri Observatory (TALTECH); Gliders (FMI, TALTECH), profiling buoys (FMI, SYKE, TALTECH), Argo floats (FMI), Wave riders (TALTECH, FMI), monitoring by R/V (All), calibration lab (SYKE).

Other data sources and external partners for implementation: HELCOM ICES database and CMEMS operational and re-analysis products; input from GoF PSS #2-#8

Overall timetable of action: Analysis of applicability of PSS data for indicators to be used in indicator-based assessments (2021). Sharing of the potential use of data and the product development plans with the environmental authorities, including HELCOM, getting feedback (2021). Presentation of the impact of using PSS data for indicators/assessment and presentation of PSS products, adjustments, if needed (2022). Publication and recommendations of the potential use of PSS data and products in the future (2022-2023).

Description of action: An analysis will be carried out to define what PSS data could be used for the indicator-based assessments, either combined into the already developed indicators (e.g. HELCOM core indicators as Chlorophyll-a, Oxygen debt, etc.) or indicators under development (acidification indicator, shallow water oxygen indicator, etc.). Demonstration of the impact of combining PSS data into the indicator assessments (e.g. increased spatial and temporal coverage leading to better confidence of assessments). Demonstration of PSS products from GoF PSS #2-#8 and their use to the national and local environmental authorities and HELCOM. Development of recommendations of the potential use of PSS data and products in the future to meet the needs of local and regional authorities (e.g. for MSFD).

Best practices used or developed: Best practices of the use of PSS data and products to meet the needs of local and regional environmental authorities.

Data flows: No operational data flows are arranged but collects the data from partners and other sources. Recommendations for the data flows in the future will be developed.

Data QC routines: The Action relies on QC routines developed/agreed in GoF PSS #1.

Data management issues: The agreements between partners must be in place.

Expected results: Indicator-based assessment products with confidence estimates when combining conventional data with PSS data.

Users of results: Local and regional environmental authorities (including HELCOM).

Dissemination of results: Results will be shared via JERICO e-infrastructure, potentially also via the HELCOM website, if agreed so.

Links: The topic links to WP2 T 2.5 in analysing which type of environmental policy needs there exist in the region and if PSS actions may contribute to those needs.