Over the past decades, anticipating the global increase in energy demand, necessary developments on the seabed have taken place that interfered with ocean ecosystems and related biodiversity enhancement capacities. As the awareness of this problem grows—as well as the efforts of large-scale ecosystem restoration—the need for a reliable solution targeting the core of the problem does so as well: insufficient availability of environmental information to support decision-making systems. By introducing artificial-intelligence (AI) -driven ecosystem insights, the nature-inclusive scope on projects can be broadened and decision-making as well as environmental requirements within the marine industry can be brought to a higher level.
In working toward biodiversity enhancement at scale, creating a digital twin of a project site can give direction for decision-making. This interactive digital blueprint offers valuable insights into the physical assets and the potential of integrating state-of-the-art biodiversity solutions. Experience shows that the protection and restoration of seaweed, oyster and mussel reefs, seagrass, coral, and mangroves can significantly increase the ecosystem services they deliver. The digital twin will relate ecosystem services with economic indicators and show, among others, the potential biodiversity increase, CO2 sequestration, oxygen level increase, and corresponding revenues. It can track the effects and continuously demonstrate progress and status by integrating third-party monitoring and data collection methods.
Worldwide offshore energy systems develop more and more toward multiuse, which is key to enhancing seabed biodiversity. The opportunities for multiuse are endless, but the inclusion of ecosystem restoration can only be successful if the right data is collected and insights can be shown.
An intelligent tool to create high traction and effects on marine ecosystems at scale, as it facilitates energy companies and operators to evaluate targeted and high-value environmental solutions, will break down the complex challenge of biodiversity and allow for easy and effective decision-making on this topic. This will release pressure on specific species, and nature in general, and will allow them to thrive again.
Efforts to enhance ecosystem services, combined with AI-driven insights, unleash a new sea of opportunities for nature-inclusive work. The goal of this paper is to inspire and invite marine industry partners to join upscaling efforts.