Integrated Biodiversity Monitoring and Ecosystem Management in Transboundary Coastal Wetlands: The Evros/Meriç Delta Case Study Description & Proposal Concept:

As an Associate Professor of Marine Biology at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University (Turkey) with research experience dating back to 2010, my team and I focus on the holistic management and biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems in the Marmara and Aegean basins.

We are forming a two- or three-country (bilateral or trilateral) consortium to target upcoming Horizon Europe calls (specifically under Cluster 6 and Mission Ocean & Waters, focusing on cost-effective biodiversity monitoring and climate resilience). Our core target is the transboundary Enez Lagoon, Meriç/Evros River, and Evros Delta complex, shared by Turkey, Greece, and Bulgaria.

This cross-border wetland system faces shared environmental pressures and climate risks. We propose an integrated, multi-trophic ecosystem monitoring framework combining:

• Ichthyology & Life Cycles: Tracking fish dynamics, spawning, larval growth, and population structures from eggs to adult stages across transitional waters.

• Macrozoobenthos: Utilizing benthic community structures as key biological indicators of ecological quality and water health.

• Avian Fauna (Birds): Integrating bird population and habitat monitoring to reflect higher trophic-level health and complete the holistic ecological picture.

• Cost-Effective Monitoring & Climate Resilience: Developing modern, scalable observation tools for shared river basins and coastal lagoons to support adaptive management.

To build a competitive and robust Horizon Europe proposal, we are actively seeking academic institutions, research centers, universities, and environmental NGOs from Greece and Bulgaria—especially those operating in or familiar with the Thrace/Evros/Meriç basin and cross-border environmental management.

• Greek Partners: Research groups working on coastal lagoons, delta management, ornithology, benthos, or fisheries in Northern Greece/Evros region.

• Bulgarian Partners: Research groups focusing on the upper/middle basin of the Maritsa (Meriç) river, wetland conservation, or aquatic biodiversity.