Opportunities and challenges for the incorporation of the ecosystem based approach in seabed conservation: a case study on mineral exploration in the Rio Grande Rise

• Grant number: 16/24677-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: May 01, 2018
• End date: March 01, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Oceanography - Biological Oceanography
• Principal Investigator: Alexander Turra
• Grantee: Maila Paisano Guilhon e Sá
• Host Institution: Instituto Oceanográfico (IO). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 14/50820-7 - Marine ferromanganese deposits: a major resource of E-tech elements, AP.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 19/14537-2 - Supporting the ecosystem approach in deep-sea mining processes: a framework proposal for regional environmental management plans, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

Technological development and the enhanced need for resources motivate humans to seek new frontiers to meet their demands. Resource extraction locations and possibilities have been rising in recent years, a fact that can be recognized, for example, by the increased number of exploration requests for the International Seabed Authority (ISA), the mining licensing authority, in areas beyond the national jurisdiction. The Rio Grande Rise (RGR) is an area considered as presenting potential to exploration activities. Despite the scarcity of data and following the examples of the Clarion-Clipperton Zone and North Middle Atlantic Ridge, environmental management plans, required by ISA, should be considered for the area. This project aims to evaluate opportunities and challenges associated to the incorporation of the ecosystem based approach into seabed conservation instruments taking into consideration that most of deep sea areas present scarce data. In order to accomplish this, a strategy involving steps (specific objectives) will be proposed and analyzed considering the incorporation of ecosystem based approach. The strategy will cover a legal framework analysis, data mining, gap analysis and the investigation of diversity distribution, ecosystem functioning and systematic conservation planning models in a context of human pressure (including mining) to this environment. Each step of the strategy will indicate ways, such as data or applicable models, considering the ecosystem based approach. The possibilities will be problematized regarding potentialities and limitations, in order to discuss the applicability to the RGR and other deep sea regions. Lastly, a critical reflection about if the ecosystem based approach represents an effective way to conserve deep sea areas will be conducted.

Scientific publications

(5)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

GUILHON, MAILA; MONTSERRAT, FRANCESC; TURRA, ALEXANDER. ecognition of ecosystem-based management principles in key documents of the seabed mining regime: implications and further recommendation. ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE, v. 78, n. 3, p. 884-899, JUL 2021. (16/10091-1, 14/50820-7, 19/14537-2, 16/24677-8)

MONTSERRAT, FRANCESC; GUILHON, MAILA; FERRAZ CORREA, PAULO VINICIUS; BERGO, NATASCHA MENEZES; SIGNORI, CAMILA NEGRAO; TURA, PEDRO MARONE; MALY, MASCIMILIANO DE LOS SANTOS; MOURA, DENISE; JOVANE, LUIGI; PELLIZARI, VIVIAN; et al. Deep-sea mining on the Rio Grande Rise (Southwestern Atlantic): A review on environmental baseline, ecosystem services and potential impacts. DEEP-SEA RESEARCH PART I-OCEANOGRAPHIC RESEARCH PAPERS, v. 145, p. 31-58, MAR 2019. (16/24677-8, 17/11884-8, 16/10091-1, 16/16183-5, 14/50820-7)

HARDEN-DAVIES, HARRIET; AMON, DIVA J.; VIERROS, MARJO; BAX, NICHOLAS J.; HANICH, QUENTIN; HILLS, JEREMY M.; GUILHON, MAILA; MCQUAID, KIRSTY A.; MOHAMMED, ESSAM; POUPONNEAU, ANGELIQUE; et al. Capacity development in the Ocean Decade and beyond: Key questions about meanings, motivations, pathways, and measurements. EARTH SYSTEM GOVERNANCE, v. 12, p. 7-pg., 2022-04-03. (19/14537-2, 16/24677-8)

XAVIER, LUCIANA YOKOYAMA; GUILHON, MAILA; GONCALVES, LEANDRA REGINA; CORREA, MARINA RIBEIRO; TURRA, ALEXANDER. aves of Change: Towards Ecosystem-Based Management to Climate Change Adaptatio. USTAINABILIT, v. 14, n. 3, FEB 2022. (18/13238-9, 17/21797-5, 19/14537-2, 16/24677-8, 18/00462-8, 19/04481-0, 19/13851-5)

GUILHON, MAILA; SINGH, PRADEEP; CHRISTIANSEN, SABINE; TURRA, ALEXANDER. Revisiting procedural requirements for the assessment of environmental impacts arising from the different stages of deep seabed mining: Current practices at the International Seabed Authority and recommendations for improvement. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REVIEW, v. 96, p. 14-pg., 2022-09-01. (14/50820-7, 19/14537-2, 16/24677-8)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

SÁ, Maila Paisano Guilhon e. Challenges and opportunities for Ecosystem-based Management in seabed conservation: case study on deep-sea mining in the Area. 2022. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto Oceanográfico (IO/DIDC) São Paulo.