Ocean state indicators play a crucial role in understanding oceanic processes, supporting decision-makers in managing healthy ecosystems and shaping societal practices. MOIRAI includes a comprehensive literature review to grasp commonly-used ecosystem and socio-economic indicators for climate and good environmental status. This review considers both physical and biogeochemical factors and also broader societal factors. The development of new and improved indicators is informed by insights from the literature review and knowledge obtained from ocean and biogeochemical simulations and the deployed vulnerability and resilience assessment framework (VRAF).
MOIRAI considers statistical definitions of variables, including aspects like extreme values and return periods. Model assessment and hindcast validation, with a specific emphasis on uncertainty and bias quantification, will help identify the most relevant indicators, which will subsequently serve as valuable tools for territorial decision-makers and end-users. Importantly, these indicators contribute to enriching the existing database of Copernicus Marine Services, enhancing their utility and impact on understanding the consequences of climate change on marine ecosystems and coastal communities.