Call for research Towards ecosystem-based aquatic management

The research should provide new knowledge to support the development and implementation of an adaptive ecosystem-based aquatic management through an increased understanding of how different ecosystems function. Knowledge of the importance of biodiversity needs to be deepened, in terms of the composition and functions of ecosystems, their productivity, and their resilience to impacts and changes. This will lead to insights into which management measures can strengthen the resilience of ecosystems.

In addition, knowledge is needed about the dynamics between species and conditions in the food web. The research should contribute to the further development of assessments and measures in accordance with the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) descriptor 4 (D4), marine food webs. We are looking for research on, for example:

• Characteristics of ecosystem architecture and the balance between different trophic levels, including anthropogenic impacts, that create resilience and mitigate risks of regime change and adverse cascading effects, as well as effective management measures to strengthen or restore resilient ecosystems.
• How fishing and natural predation change the age and size structure of fish communities and the consequences for the structure and function of ecosystems.
• The ecological functions of predatory fish in different life stages and sizes, and how this is affected by fishing, natural predation and size structure in fish communities.
• Development of indicators and tools to adaptively evaluate the impact of management measures, as well as to assess cumulative effects on ecosystems and relationships between coastal and offshore systems.
• Further development and verification of food web models can contribute to an increased understanding of both top-down and bottom-up processes. 
• The importance of genetic differentiation and locally adapted populations of, for example fish, for management.

The research should develop new knowledge and new tools specifically for the management of great cormorants, grey seals, harbor seals and ringed seals. Knowledge and management tools should be used to implement and further develop the national management plans for these species. In an adaptive system, a well-functioning methodology for monitoring the populations is needed to be able to follow and evaluate the effects and the fulfilment of the aims of different management measures.

Furthermore, there is a need to develop assessment methodology, indicators and threshold values that describe population status, resilience to disturbances and resilience. We are looking for research on great cormorants and the different seal species, for example:

• Food choices in relation to species composition and size structure of fish communities. Increased knowledge of this makes it possible to analyse food selection processes in different aquatic environments such as the Baltic Sea, the North Sea and, for great cormorants, freshwater environments. Analyses of the impact of top predators on species composition and size structure in fish populations and communities.
• Energy needs and food choices in relation to the energy content of different fish species.
• Food web connections and trophic cascades linked to the top predators in different ecosystems. For example, the extent to which top predators can contribute to a decline in the number of pike and perch, which in turn allows for an increase in the number of sticklebacks along the coast in parts of the Baltic Sea.
• Development of methodology for population monitoring. The methodology should include studies of the species' habitat use in time and space, as well as migration patterns and related effects on ecosystems. There is a particular research need in this area for ringed seals. Applications for funding for projects regarding more general development of surveillance are referred to the research call
  
  Environmental monitoring of the future
• Development of population models that allow forecasts and analyses of the effects of hunting and other management measures on top predator populations and their prey fish, for example prior to inform annual decisions on hunting concessions.
• Evaluation and development of management measures, such as hunting, deterrents, and closure of bays, to manage conflicting objectives in the management of fish, great cormorants and seal species.
• Reproduction and migration patterns in a changing environment to support future revisions of hunting seasons.

The research shall support long-term sustainable, efficient, adaptive, and legitimate ecosystem-based aquatic management. Central to achieving ecosystem-based management is the interaction between humans and the environment. Awareness of how humans affect marine and freshwater environments and vice versa needs to increase at all levels. This includes the development of tools for the management of different resources, conflicts between management objectives and trade-offs between different ecosystem services.

There is also a need for new processes for decision-making and participation, as well as the coordination and involvement of stakeholders at all stages of the management cycle. The research should contribute knowledge that provides conditions for learning, participation and collaboration between different actors in the implementation of ecosystem-based aquatic management. Furthermore, the research should be able to provide answers regarding which management measures have the potential to be implemented in order to achieve the desired effects. We are looking for research covering a range of perspectives, for example:

• The management perspective: Conditions to develop and implement a legitimate and adaptive ecosystem-based aquatic management that considers legal, organisational and resource-based aspects at different level, and contributes to increasing the ability to handle various ecological, economic and social challenges.
• Democracy/collaboration perspective: Development of inclusive and equitable dialogue and collaboration processes, with the ability to manage conflicts of interest and uncertainty, division of responsibilities between actors. Processes that contribute to improved knowledge exchange/learning in the short and long term, as well as coordinated follow-up of measures within ecosystem-based aquatic management.
• Socio-economic analyses: Socio-economic or social analyses of the impact of ecosystem changes and management measures, including their impact on coastal communities and ecosystem services. Management of conflicting goals, including conflicts between animals and humans, but also between different groups/interests in society. Inspiration for the analyses may be drawn from studies concerning wildlife management of other species groups.
• Attitude surveys: Attitudes and values of stakeholders towards cormorants and seals, as well as analysis of sustainable use of these species and their socioeconomic importance for hunting, fishing, outdoor recreation, and tourism; including food security and the impact of trade restrictions. Inspiration for the attitude surveys may be drawn from studies concerning wildlife management of other species groups.
• Knowledge Production: Methods for inventory, scientific verification, and use of local and traditional knowledge at different stages of the management cycle that can contribute to strengthening the implementation of ecosystem-based aquatic management.
• Communication Studies: Design and evaluation of different communication interventions to engage and inform stakeholders at different levels in ecosystem-based management.

The challenges within each research focus area are large and multifaceted, and both intra- and interdisciplinary research is in demand. Transdisciplinary research that crosses boundaries between the research community and the rest of society is also welcomed. In all research areas, collaboration and co-creative initiatives between several researchers or research groups and between researchers, managers, and other stakeholders are important. Since many of the research areas concern species that move over large geographical areas, projects in collaboration with research actors in other countries are also desirable.

There are established forums within the agencies that can be used. For example, stakeholder forums for seals and cormorants (1), regional groups for ecosystem-based fisheries management of coastal areas, offshore waters, and inland waters (2) and collaborative structures for ecosystem-based marine, aquatic and fisheries management. Documents related to the research questions of the call are listed below.

Through the government assignment to the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management to implement fisheries management measures that correspond to a relocation of the trawl limit, test areas are being established that may be suitable for comparative studies.

The total budget for the call is approximately SEK 40 million. Researchers can apply for funding for research projects for up to three years (2025–2027). For several research questions, there may be a need for comparative studies and experimental approaches with field studies in different experimental areas that may need longer time and a larger budget than, for example, more theoretical studies and questionnaire studies. Therefore, both larger and longer projects, as well as smaller and shorter projects are welcome. As an indication of the magnitude of previously approved research projects within the Environmental Research Grant, three-year projects have received an average of approximately SEK 4 million (including overhead/indirect costs) in recent years.

The goal is to fund several projects within each of the three focus areas A-C and that at least a quarter of the budget will be allocated to each focus area. Priority will be given to applications of sufficient quality, to ensure that a balanced and coherent portfolio of projects of different scope and duration in all focus areas is granted.