Scientific aims

CREATE will develop ES models spanning freshwater, coastal, and marine realms, accounting for complex ecosystem processes and the condition of ecosystems responsible for the supply of ES. Eutrophication dynamics will be central, enabling a dynamic assessment of ES trade-offs and synergies, overcoming the limitations of static, expert-based models. The project explicitly addresses cross-realm ES interactions, fostering integrated management.

A key aspect is the integration of spatial, temporal, and thematic scales. CREATE will harness existing datasets, including Copernicus monitoring products, Sentinel-2 and -3 images, national water monitoring databases, and scientific publications. High-resolution UAV imagery will complement these through state-of-the-art upscaling methods in selected case studies.

CREATE will ultimately integrate the aforementioned components into a spatial prioritization tool, allowing for the optimal location of NBS aimed at mitigating eutrophication. Using process-based models, the spatial prioritization tool will maximize ES synergies throughout the freshwater-coastal-marine continuum, while reducing eutrophication processes.