European Directory of Marine Environmental Research Projects (EDMERP)

Details

General info
Project title	Biological Effects of Anthropogenic Chemical Stress: Tools for the Assessment of Ecosystem Health
Project acronym	BEAST
Associated programme	BONUS
Begin date	2009-01-01
End date	2011-12-31
Description
Abstract	The pan-Baltic BEAST project is targeted at developing integrated measures of chemical pollution and tools needed to detect and understand human-induced pressure on the Baltic Sea ecosystem. We will test and validate integrated monitoring and assessment approaches for their applicability in the Baltic Sea, taking carefully into account the specific abiotic and biotic characteristics of the sea area. Using sub-regional assessments we will provide scientifically based recommendations for the implementation of an integrated chemical-biological effects monitoring strategy for the assessment of ecosystem health. This supports ecosystem-based management to safeguard the sustainable use of ecosystem’s goods and services. To establish links between responses related to chemical pollution within the individuals and effects observed at higher biological levels we will generate an integrated “multi-level toolbox” including biomarkers as sensitive diagnostic tools. Capacity building, networking, exchange and intercalibration of methodologies, and training are another integral part of the project. Sixteen partners from all Baltic Sea countries are involved in BEAST; the work consists of field and experimental research using both established and novel methods on 5 Baltic Sea sub-regions so far with limited information on biological effects of hazardous substances. The outcome will be communicated to national and regional stakeholders and co-operation with HELCOM MONAS will be established.
Coordinator
Coordinating organisation	Finnish Environment Institute
Country of Coordinator	Finland
Contact name	Kari Lehtonen
Title	senior scientist
Contact organisation	Finnish Environment Institute
Phone	+358 40 7030 305
Email	kari.lehtonen@ymparisto.fi
Project partners
Other partners	Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Environment Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research Atlantic Scientific Research Institute for Marine Fishery and Oceanography Estonian University of Life Sciences Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries Institute for Applied Ecology Ltd. Institute of Biology, University of Latvia Institute of Ecology of Nature Research Centre Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde National Marine Fisheries Research Institute Scientific Research Center for Ecological Safety RAS Stockholm University, Institute of Applied Environmental Research The Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Edmerp metadata
Edmerp id	10785
Collating centre	Baltic Organisations Network for Funding Science EEIG
Latest update	2009-08-11