688 / 2024-09-19 05:57:09

Advancing Marine Sustainability and the Blue Economy through Digital Twin Technology

Digital Twin, Marine Sustainability, Blue Economy, Nature-Based Solutions, Coastal Resilience, Climate Adaptation

Digital twin (DT) technology is a transformative tool for advancing marine sustainability and supporting the blue economy. By creating virtual ocean models, DTs enable simulations of What-If scenarios to assess the impacts of sea level rise, Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), and adaptation strategies. A key feature of DTs is their ability to integrate real-time data with predictive modeling, powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing, allowing for precise, continuous monitoring and scenario testing. In the blue economy, DTs help balance economic growth and ecosystem protection by optimizing resource use, such as in offshore win energy and aquaculture, while preserving critical habitats. They support coastal resilience by assessing NBS, such as seagrass and mangrove restoration, to protect shorelines from erosion and mitigate the effects of sea level rise. We demonstrate how DT of the coastal ocean can contribute by aiding decision-making through the use of Whar-If scenarios for coastal protection against erosion and sediment transport by sea level rise, while also ensuring the preservation of coastal biodiversity.  These models promote collaboration across stakeholders, facilitating sustainable ocean management practices. By using AI and HPC to simulate the complex interactions between ocean ecosystems, human activities, and climate change, DTs offer critical insights to enhance ecosystem resilience and safeguard marine environments like seagrass meadows and mangrove forests.  Aligned with the goals of the UN Decade of Ocean Science. By integrating community data and scientific modeling, DTs help identify effective strategies for resilience and long-term sustainability, supporting both economic development and environmental conservation in line with global sustainability objectives.