ENHANCE in a nutshell
ENHANCE in a nutshell
ENHANCE is dedicated to protecting and restoring vulnerable coastal ecosystems through innovative, sustainable solutions.
By integrating the One Health approach with cutting-edge AI technologies, satellite Copernicus’ observations and Citizen Science data services, we aim to address environmental, human, and animal health challenges.
Ultimately, we aim to empower stakeholders with dynamic tools and insights, supporting policymakers and businesses in crafting resilient strategies for coastal management.
Background
Coastal zones, covering just 20% of the Earth’s surface, are vital for their environmental, economic, and social significance, yet they face immense pressures from human activities.
Hosting 45% of the global population, these areas are particularly vulnerable to nutrient pollution from agriculture, urban runoff, and industrial waste, leading to cultural eutrophication—a rapid and harmful process of algal blooms that degrades water quality and ecosystems.
This intensification, driven by land-use changes and freshwater regulation, highlights the urgent need for integrated management.
One Health Approach
This groundbreaking methodology represents a fresh, integrated way of thinking that addresses the complex interconnections between human health, animal health, and environmental health.
The One Health approach recognizes that the health of people is intricately linked to the health of animals and the environment we share. By breaking down traditional silos, this innovative strategy fosters collaboration across disciplines and sectors to tackle some of the most pressing challenges of our time, from emerging infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance to climate change and biodiversity loss.
Our commitment to the One Health approach reflects our belief in the power of holistic solutions. By working together across diverse fields such as medicine, veterinary science, ecology, and public health, we aim to develop sustainable strategies that ensure a healthier future for all.
As a new and transformative initiative, the One Health approach embodies the spirit of innovation and cooperation that defines our project. This unified vision promotes a healthier, more resilient world.
ENHANCE Objectives
The ENHANCE project aims to:
Define and implement the One Health Approach as the core methodology, integrating human, animal, and environmental health for sustainable coastal management. Establish a co-creation process with stakeholders to ensure holistic decision-making.
Design and deploy the ENHANCE Data Exchange Platform to enable secure, interoperable, and real-time data sharing among stakeholders. Integrate multiple data sources, including Copernicus, EGNSS, citizen science, and in-situ observations.
Develop an AI-powered toolkit for monitoring marine coastal ecosystems under the One Health framework, integrating three key components:
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- Human Health Tool: Introduces the Sanitary Environmental Quality Indicator (SEQI) to assess water quality impacts on human health, addressing pollution, contamination, and disease transmission risks.
- Animal Health Tool: Implements AI-driven early warning systems for aquaculture, ensuring sustainable seafood production by monitoring and mitigating environmental pressures on animal health and ecosystem well-being
- Environment Health Tool: Establishes the Environmental Quality Indicator (EEQI) to evaluate biodiversity loss, eutrophication, and pollution impacts using AI and remote sensing
Utilize AI-driven services to assess environmental pressures and generate risk maps within the One Health framework. Provide interactive visualizations to help policymakers, businesses, and citizens analyze present and future coastal risks for informed decision-making.
Test and refine ENHANCE services with stakeholders across the EU to ensure effectiveness and relevance. Leverage technological advancements to deliver tailored coastal services while developing exploitation strategies and sustainability plans for long-term impact