How to use a Virtual Laboratory on Carbon Plankton Dynamics

Résumé

This 4-hour course is designed to empower ocean scientists by providing a comprehensive understanding and practical skills in using a Carbon Plankton Dynamics Virtual Laboratory (VLab), running in Blue-Cloud Virtual Research Environment (VRE). Participants will learn how to explore carbon plankton data, patterns, and processes relevant to marine ecology using a virtual environment. Knowing that the carbon pump in marine ecosystems operates as a key mechanism for carbon dynamics, learning how to use a virtual carbon plankton model can provide support to enhance knowledge in marine life dynamics, as well as perform science-based decision-making. This course uses datasets and scenarios of the Belgian Part of the North Sea and the Gulf of Trieste to demonstrate the capabilities of the models, which can be applied and adapted for other regions and conditions.

The course aims to empower ocean scientists with a comprehensive understanding and practical skills in using a Virtual Laboratory (Vlab) on Carbon Plankton Dynamics within the Blue-Cloud VRE. By accessing various digital tools, you will be able to utilize models to study carbon plankton and apply them to make decisions related to the carbon pump mechanism based on data products and modelling outputs.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be able to:

• Identify key data collection processes and partners involved in research within the Belgian Part of the North Sea and the Gulf of Trieste and the development of the Carbon Plankton Dynamics Virtual Laboratory.
• Explain the importance of carbon plankton dynamics for scientific research, modeling, and oceanography.
• Define the purpose and functionalities, and the services provided by the Virtual Laboratory.
• Identify and utilize near-real-time data within the Virtual Laboratory for use in Nutrient–Phytoplankton–Zooplankton–Detritus (NPZD)-type models.
• Access relevant data from Blue-Cloud Data Discovery and Access service (DD&AS) 
• Format data files for use in the Virtual Laboratory
• Operate the Virtual Laboratory (VLab) on Carbon Plankton Dynamics to simulate and analyze phytoplankton dynamics in the specified regions.
• Analyze model results related to the contributions of bottom-up and top-down drivers by the RShiny App within the Virtual Laboratory.
• Quantify the relative contributions of bottom-up and top-down drivers in phytoplankton dynamics using the NPZD-type model within the Virtual Laboratory.
• Interpret marine ecosystem management decisions based on model outputs from the Virtual Laboratory (VLab).

Course content

• Module 1: Introduction to the Virtual Laboratory - This module introduces the Virtual Laboratory on Carbon Plankton Dynamics, its services, the relevance of carbon plankton dynamics, and key partners, focusing on their roles in data collection and modeling within the Belgian Part of the North Sea and Gulf of Trieste as a use case.

• Module 2: Data Collection - This module guides on the types of data needed for the Virtual Laboratory on Carbon Plankton Dynamics, methods to access data (DD&AS), and the process of building and formatting data files, focusing on data from the Belgian Part of the North Sea and Gulf of Trieste.

• Module 3: Discovering the Model - This module provides hands-on experience in operating the Virtual Laboratory on Carbon Plankton Dynamics using the handbook, focusing on how to use near-real-time data to run an NPZD-type model.

• Module 4: RShiny App - This module teaches participants how to use the RShiny App in the Virtual Laboratory on Carbon Plankton Dynamics, focusing on visualizing and interpreting data related to phytoplankton dynamics in the Belgian Part of the North Sea and Gulf of Trieste.

Target audience

• Graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in marine and environmental sciences;
• IT professionals supporting research activities in scientific institutions; and
• Project managers and coordinators involved in research projects that utilise Virtual Research Environments (VREs).

Proficient in the following is required:

• The ability to be self-directed in learning new technology skills (e.g. following a step-by-step tutorial, online video help, or access to support to learn necessary skills)
• Basic computer skills
• Finding resources through search engines

Language of instruction

English

Instructors and Organizers

Content for this course was provided by:

• Steven Pint
• Matteo Bazzaro 
• Gianpiero Cossarini 
• Cyrielle Delvenne

This training is organized by the EU BlueCloud2026 project in collaboration with the UNESCO IOC OceanTeacher Global Academy, RTC Belgium, and contributions from project partners' experts (Flanders Marine Institute VLIZ, National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics (OGS) of Italy).

Blue-Cloud 2026 aims at a further evolution of this pilot ecosystem into a Federated European Ecosystem to deliver FAIR & Open data and analytical services, instrumental for deepening research of oceans, EU seas, coastal & inland waters. It develops a thematic marine extension to EOSC for open web-based science, serving the needs of the EU Blue Economy, Marine Environment and Marine Knowledge agendas.

Assessments and Certificate

This course contain a set of multiple-question automated assessments to evaluate your learning. Participants will be required to complete a pre and post self-assessment related to the course content, and be requested to fill out a feedback survey at the end of the course to reflect on your learning experience and identify areas for improvement. This will also provide valuable feedback for course teachers and organisers to enhance future training sessions.

To receive a Certificate of Completion, learners must:

• Achieve a minimum score of 80% on all quizzes.
• Complete every lesson, activity, and assessment.
• Complete the mandatory pre-test and post-test.
• Submit the required feedback form, which is mandatory for all OTGA courses.

Technology requirements

To complete this course, participants should have access to:

• Computer with a modern operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux)
• Latest version of either Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari web browsers
• JavaScript and cookies enabled
• Broadband internet access (minimum bandwidth of 0.5 Mbps (Receive and Send)
• Speakers or headphones, Microphone

Course duration and format

For this first round, the course will be available online between 17 September 2025 and 31 July 2026. The estimated time to complete the self-paced course is approximately 4 hours. 

Cost: This course has no tuition fees. 

How to enrol

Please register on the OceanExpert website (www.oceanexpert.org). Once your OceanExpert account is approved (this is not done immediately), you can self-enrol in the course. If you already have an OceanExpert account, you can self-enrol in the course using your OceanExpert username and password.

First log-in OceanTeacher, then access the course page and click on self-enrolment. The enrolment key for all courses is VLab3*2025EN1

Contacts

• OTGA Secretariat: ioc.training@unesco.org

For any questions please contact the OTGA Secretariat always using the name of the course as the email subject. 

Cancellation policy

In the event of cancellation of the course by the OTGA or its affiliates, we will provide notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date. In the event of cancellation by the attendee, we should receive notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date.