ExpectedOutcome:
In line with the European Green Deal and in particular with the objectives of the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030, projects will contribute to understand and address direct drivers of biodiversity decline in both terrestrial and aquatic environments.
Project results are expected to contribute to all following expected outcomes:
- The impact of light and noise pollution on biodiversity and ecosystem services is better understood and nature restoration activities as planned in the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 are supported, contributing to the objective of “at least 30% of all protected species and habitats not currently in favourable conservation status should reach favourable status or at least show a strong positive trend by 2030”,
- The awareness of private and public stakeholders about the impacts of light and noise on biodiversity is increased,
- Specific measures to assess, prevent and mitigate the negative impacts from light and noise on biodiversity are developed,
- Networking capacity on impacts of light and noise on biodiversity is built.
Scope:
Light pollution is the alteration of natural lighting levels due to artificial light at night. It has been rapidly increasing, with the illumination level in developed countries increasing tenfold over the last 50 years. From 2012 to 2016, Earth’s artificially lit outdoor area grew by 2.2% per year. Artificial light at night is a powerful environmental stressor which alters the biological rhythms of living organisms (fauna and flora), modifies species assemblages (e.g. fish in ports) and changes ecosystems at large. There is a broad scientific consensus that it poses a threat to biodiversity and this has led to growing concerns in recent years. Light pollution is specifically known to cause habitat fragmentation, impairing physiology and behaviour in fauna. It is notably thought to be a major factor in the gradual disappearance of insect and bird populations worldwide. Its effects seem to intensify with the use of LEDs (Light-Emitting Diodes) including outside cities. Another domain of light pollution is the horizontally polarised light reflection of certain artificial surfaces (e.g. roads and photovoltaic solar panels), posing significant threat to polarotactic insects that get trapped in search for water bodies.
Noise is an environmental factor which is also given growing attention. According to IPBES, noise’s effects on nature are increasingly observed[1]. Expansion of human population, transport networks and extraction have a range of impacts upon species, depending on auditory capacities and noise wavelengths. Underwater noises that are due not only to shipping but also to pile drivers, sonars, seismic testing or windfarms are significant marine pollutants. Noise can be particularly problematic for marine organisms. It has been shown for instance that it may modify behaviour and physiology of invertebrates and it is suspected to increase infection risks and alter spawning behaviour of affected species. It is suspected, for instance, to increase infection risks and spawning behaviour of affected species. Evidence of the impact of noise pollution on ecosystems is also growing, like the reduction of the presence of songbirds in cities.
EU policies integrate the need to protect biodiversity from light and noise in a limited extent, in particular:
- The Habitats Directive requires Member States to take the necessary measures to avoid significant disturbance of protected species in Natura 2000 sites, which, where relevant, is applicable to light pollution (Article 6.2).
- Noise is one aspect of the good environmental status defined in the Marine Strategy Framework Directive No 2008/56.
Light and noise pollution in general is addressed in a number of EU policies and directives: the Environmental Noise Directive, the Outdoor Noise Directive, the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive (85/337/EEC). Reducing noise pollution is among the objectives of the EU Action Plan: 'Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil'. Noise and light are defined as pollutants in Regulation (EU) 2020/852 on the establishment of a framework to facilitate sustainable investment, (‘pollutant’ means a substance, vibration, heat, noise, light or other contaminant present in air, water or land which may be harmful to human health or the environment, which may result in damage to material property, or which may impair or interfere with amenities and other legitimate uses of the environment). Light and noise pollution is included in one of the six thematic priority objectives of the 8th Environment Action Programme to 2030 (“pursuing zero-pollution, including in relation to harmful chemicals, in order to achieve a toxic-free environment, including for air, water, soil as well as in relation to light and noise pollution, and protecting the health and well-being of people, animals and ecosystems from environment-related risks and negative impacts”).
There is a need to better understand the overall impact of these pollution sources of emerging concern on biodiversity, in particular how the conservation status of species and habitats is affected, mechanisms at stake and how to monitor and mitigate adverse effects.
Targets groups for this topic are notably regulatory bodies, civil society, local and regional decision –makers.
Successful proposals should:
- provide a comprehensive review on available knowledge on the impacts of noise and light pollution on biodiversity and ecosystem services (from genetic to species levels) and their combined effects with other drivers of biodiversity loss including climate change and invasive species. The scope should cover terrestrial (both in urban and rural areas), fresh water and marine environments. Projects should build upon research performed on the European level as well as by the Member States and Associated Countries,
- assess the overall impacts of noise and light pollution on biodiversity and ecosystem services in Europe and the magnitude of the problems. This should include a scrutiny of applicable policies and their impact as well as a contextualisation of the problems from an environmental history perspective,
- improve understanding of mechanisms leading to biodiversity loss, including effects of noise and light pollution on the behaviour of animals which can eventually affect population viability,
- investigate how noise and light pollution affect the conservation status of species and habitats, and identify measures to avoid significant disturbance,
- assess the need and ability of specific measures to prevent negative impacts of light and noise on biodiversity, including monitoring,
- assess links to other policies where light and noise management is at place or relevance and synergies can be explored (disaster management, noise mapping etc.),
- explore innovative solutions to prevent and mitigate the impacts of light and noise on biodiversity and ecosystem services. This should not be limited to technological solutions.
Proposals should address Area A: terrestrial biodiversity and ecosystems or Area B: aquatic (including marine) biodiversity and ecosystems. The area (A or B) should be clearly indicated on the application.
Cooperation with projects supported by the mission ‘Restore our Ocean and Waters’ is expected for Area B. Successful proposals under Area B are expected to strengthen the European contribution to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).
Proposals should earmark the necessary resources for cooperation and networking activities. Collaboration with the European partnership on biodiversity Biodiversa+ should be explored, as needed.
This topic should involve the effective contribution of SSH disciplines. Participatory approaches, such as citizen science, could be appropriate modes of research for this action.
International cooperation is encouraged.
[1]IPBES (2019): Global assessment report on biodiversity and ecosystem services of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. E. S. Brondizio, J. Settele, S. Díaz, and H. T. Ngo (editors). IPBES secretariat, Bonn, Germany. 1148 pages. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3831673.
