The Atlantic Living Lab is advancing research around ocean observations of kelp forests in the Atlantic Ocean, in the coast of Portugal, which is a biogeographic limit for many species of macroalgae that have here their southern or northernmost distribution.

Our key objectives in the Atlantic Living Lab are to: 

• identify thresholds and tipping points in the macroalgal forests,  
• quantify the cumulative effects of multiple stressors in these ecosystems.  

Due to climate change and other anthropogenic pressures, there has been a shift in distribution of species, and kelp forests that were abundant along the coast of Portugal are now restricted to the northern parts with plans being put in place to restore these marine forests. By linking biological EOVs with environmental and socio-economic variables, our Living Lab will support the Marine Spatial Planning including increasing of the Marine Protected Areas, guide restoration plans and assess possible sustainable harvest of macroalgae.   

The Atlantic Living Lab is closely collaborating with the Tuscan Archipelago Living Lab [link] to test monitoring methodologies there developed in the Atlantic conditions for macroalgal forests. 

Main EOVs studied in the Living Lab:

(Click on the EOV name to access the corresponding GOOS EOV Specification Sheet if available)

 Macroalgae canopy cover and composition