Four years ago, the MARCO-BOLO project, which stands for MARine COastal BiOdiversity Long-term Observations, set out to strengthen biodiversity observation across Europe's marine, coastal and freshwater ecosystems, in support of decision making.

Today, as the project approaches its conclusion, MARCO BOLO has delivered scientific publications, datasets, monitoring tools, policy recommendations and practical resources. The project brought together researchers, policymakers, monitoring agencies, technology developers and biodiversity experts from across Europe and beyond to test new approaches, generate scientific evidence and develop practical tools​ and knowledge-based resources​ that will continue supporting biodiversity monitoring long after the project ends.

From environmental DNA and innovative sensor technologies to blue carbon assessments and biodiversity modelling, the project has contributed new knowledge on how biodiversity can be monitored more effectively and how that information can support environmental policy and decision-making.

Testing the future of biodiversity monitoring

One of MARCO-BOLO's central objectives was to explore how emerging technologies can complement traditional biodiversity monitoring methods. Across the project, researchers evaluated the use of environmental DNA (eDNA), imaging technologies, acoustic observations and other monitoring approaches to assess their potential for observing marine biodiversity.

Field demonstrations in the North Sea combined eDNA sampling, underwater imaging, acoustic monitoring and plankton observations, helping researchers understand how different approaches can work together to provide a more complete picture of marine ecosystems. The lessons learned from these demonstrations have been captured in project guidance and technical resources that support the wider adoption of integrated biodiversity monitoring approaches.

The project also developed databases, software pipelines, protocols and practical guidance to support the wider use of eDNA in biodiversity monitoring. These resources help address some of the barriers that have limited the adoption of genetic monitoring methods and provide a foundation for future monitoring programmes across Europe.

Understanding biodiversity change across Europe

Protecting biodiversity requires understanding how ecosystems are changing over time. To support this goal, MARCO-BOLO analysed biodiversity observations from across Europe, bringing together information from thousands of ecological time series and monitoring programmes. These analyses provided new insights into biodiversity trends and helped identify important knowledge gaps where better monitoring is still needed.

The project also investigated biodiversity connectivity across the land-river-sea continuum, improving understanding of how activities and conservation measures in one part of the landscape can influence ecosystems elsewhere.

This work generated evidence that can support future conservation planning, ecosystem restoration efforts and biodiversity policy. One example is the MARCO BOLO Habitat Suitability Model, available through the LifeWatch ERIC Virtual Research Environment. The tool predicts current and future habitat suitability for protected marine species, including harbour porpoise, harbour seal and common dolphin, under different climate change scenarios, helping users explore how species distributions may change over time.

Building stronger biodiversity data systems

Biodiversity observations are only useful if they can be found, shared and reused. Throughout the project, MARCO-BOLO worked closely with international biodiversity data infrastructures, including OBIS, GBIF and IODE ODIS, to improve data interoperability and facilitate the exchange of biodiversity information.

The project developed data management frameworks, metadata recommendations and practical resources designed to make biodiversity data more accessible and reusable across organisations and monitoring programmes. These include the Data Readiness Level (DRL) Self-Assessment Checklist, which helps projects evaluate and strengthen their data management practices, supporting the long-term discoverability, accessibility and reuse of biodiversity data. A complementary presentation resource introduces the DRL approach and provides practical guidance for implementing good data management practices throughout a project's lifecycle. These efforts contribute to a more connected biodiversity data landscape and support the FAIR principles, helping ensure that biodiversity observations generated today remain useful into the future.

From blue carbon to invasive species

MARCO-BOLO also addressed some of the pressing environmental challenges facing European waters. The project ​contributed to the EuroCarbon database​, bringing together more than 61,000 records on carbon stored within European marine and coastal sediments. This work supported the development of ​tools that allow users to visualise and explore blue carbon predictions​, helping improve understanding of the role coastal ecosystems play in climate mitigation.

Researchers also investigated invasive species, testing how new monitoring approaches can support earlier detection and improved management. In parallel, the project developed species distribution models and decision-support tools that can help anticipate future biodiversity changes under different environmental scenarios.

Working with the people who use biodiversity information

Scientific advances only create impact when they reach the people who can put them into practice. Through its Community of Practice, stakeholder workshops, training activities and collaborations with European and international initiatives, MARCO-BOLO worked closely with policymakers, biodiversity monitoring practitioners, environmental agencies, NGOs and researchers throughout the project.

This collaboration helped shape project activities and resulted in practical outputs including policy briefs, monitoring guidance, data standards, interactive visualisation tools, and a series of infographics explaining Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs) and Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs). These resources were developed to help researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders better understand the observations needed to monitor biodiversity change.

Looking beyond the project

While MARCO-BOLO is coming to an end, many of the project's outputs are designed to continue supporting biodiversity monitoring efforts beyond its lifetime. The tools, datasets, methodologies, policy briefs, scientific publications, collaborations, series of knowledge-based resources, and partnerships developed over the last four years provide resources that can be built upon by future projects, monitoring networks and policymakers working towards a better understanding of Europe's biodiversity. These resources will continue to be available through the projects’ Zenodo repository, GitHub account, LifeWatch Virtual Research Environments, and EMBRC’s webpage.

As consortium members prepare to gather in Bruges for the project's final meeting and Community of Practice event on 16 November 2026, MARCO-BOLO can look back on new knowledge, practical resources and stronger connections between the people and organisations working to observe, understand and protect marine, coastal and freshwater biodiversity.