At Wageningen IMARES a team of experts in seabed research performs field studies as well as (international) policy and management studies, contributing directly to a more efficient, sustainable use of the sea. They develop and implement systems, methods, processes and equipment for coastal defence and environmental conservation and development, sand and gravel extraction, offshore oil and gas, fisheries, and wind energy. We provide innovative research and applications, minimising effects and taking advantage of opportunities. Wageningen IMARES' unique experience is based on their knowledge of both the ecosystem and the industry.
Wageningen IMARES is experienced in conducting field studies, including habitat mapping, baseline and monitoring surveys of drilling sites, nourishment and dredging areas as well as fishing grounds, offshore and in coastal zones. This in appliance with and based on international guidelines (e.g. OSPAR for offshore exploration drilling), documents (e.g. the implementation of Special Areas of Conservation), as well as within the framework of international obligations (e.g. the European Bird and Habitats Directive, Marine Strategy, OSPAR, NATURA 2000).
Wageningen IMARES is often requested to prepare a program for seabed studies (Baseline, Monitoring and Habitat mapping) in order to obtain approval for the activity from the competent authorities. We prepare tailor-made programs for surveying, analysis and reporting depending on our customers demands and questions. The field studies are set up in such a way that they could be repeated. The survey programs are adapted to the sensitivity of the environment, with consideration of the layout of scheduled operations. New methodologies are developed and techniques tested in order to perform seabed surveys to the highest standards.
 Survey area |
mainly Southern North Sea and Wadden Sea |
| Survey period |
year round but mostly in late winter through to early spring |
| Duration |
depends on the sampling programme and area to be surveyd |
| Target species |
Infauna: a.o. polychaete worms, bivalves, burrowing crustaceans
Epifauna: a.o. surface dwelling crabs and other crustaceans, echinoderms like brittle stars |
| Methods used |
grab samplers and corers, sonar systems, video imaging and underwater photography |
| Sampling depth |
Ranging from shallow intertidal through shallow subtidal to (very) deep subtidal |
| Ship |
appropriate vessels for the survey area are enlisted from the IMARES fleet or chartered from a third party or can be provided by the contractor |
| Research areas |
benthic community composition and changes related to e.g. human activities,
studies on expected impacts, habitat mapping e.g. relating with hydrography and sedimentology
|
| Countries participating internationally |
Mostly within the Netherlands, but surveys have been done abroad in a.o. Belgium, Germany,the United Kingdom and Norway. In projects we have co-operateed with a.o. France, England, Scotland, Ireland, Norway and Germany. |
| Start of time series |
not applicable |
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