Lead institution:
University of Edinburgh – United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK)
Coastal Observation Lab in a Box (COLaB) will address the critical lack of quality oceanographic data that exists for many coastal ocean regions, most often due to lack of resource in island and rim nations.
A key feature will be affordable new instruments for determination of a wide range of biological, physical and biogeochemical parameters. Notably, these can be used to address diverse scientific questions, in settings ranging from nearshore wetlands to the shelf edge, all without need of a formal research vessel or laboratory. Protocols for all methods, combined with in-person training, at regional training camps and as part of the Coast Predict programme, will serve to train up multiskilled, hands-on oceanographers. Modelling tools and an easy-access data management package will help to maximise the value of the standardised observations, both to local end users (food security, ecosystem function and health, hazard resilience etc) and to the global scientific community.
Start Date: 01/01/2024
End Date: 31/12/2031
Lead Contact: Greg Cowie (glcowie@ed.ac.uk)