GRAME database (GRAMED)

The GRAMED aims to provide information about existing key marine assessments operating at a global or regional scale and covering a variety of disciplines.

The searchable database contains information on the assessments background, process and outputs, with links, where possible, to access additional available information and full text. The GRAMED aims to include a cross section of relevant marine assessments and related activities, but this list is not exhaustive. Only a few examples of national scale assessments have been included to demonstrate that there these assessments could also provide useful lessons to the Group of Experts.

Assessments that are included in the database are unavoidably biased towards those that produce readily available information and outputs, particularly over the internet, and this may have resulted in the omission of those which do not produce such readily available information.

Users should be aware of the limitations of this tool, particularly the complexity of the assessment processes is in many cases difficult to represent using the thematic categories employed here. Similarly, to aid functionality, information relating to geographic coverage has been simplified. For these reasons the information contained within this database provides a simplified overview of the main features and components of the assessments, and it is recommended that this tool be used as a reference to locate relevant assessments and sources of further information.

Search:

The ‘search’ option allows the user to search for assessments within the database, using the following search criteria:

  • Search by keyword within the Assessment Title
  • Classification of Assessment
  • Geographic Scale of Assessment
  • Search by Regions
  • Whether the Assessment was reviewed by a GoE Member
  • Search by keyword within the associated Geographic Coverage
  • Search by individual Organisation

Search criteria can be combined, e.g. by selecting 'Global' from the 'Scale' list and 'No' from the 'Reviewed by GoE Member' list will give results that only match both criteria.

The search will display any successful results in a list, allowing the user to view each individual assessment by clicking on the hyperlink on the assessment title to view full details of the assessment.

View all records:

The ‘view all records’ option displays all of the record titles (with geographic scope, start date, end date and status) within the live database.

This page allows the user to export this full list of assessments into three formats:

  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Excel
  • PDF Document

The user can view each individual assessment in full detail by clicking on the hyperlink on the assessment title.

View records:

The ‘view records’ option allows the user to select an individual assessment to view by selecting an assessment title from a select box at the top of the page.

Once a title has been selected, the page will display the full details of the assessment.

The user can view all other assessments within the same classification by clicking on the hyperlink on the classification text.

 

Once opened, the record shows general information including:

  • Full assessment title
  • Geographic scale, whether regional or global, and specific geographic coverage
  • Assessment organisation, including lead organisation and collaborating organisation
  • Thematic focus of the assessment
  • Links to further information including website, reports, and contact details
  • Additional detailed information accessible by clickable tabs

 

Main sections of information available are:

  • Purpose: A brief summary of the nature and scope of the assessment.
  • Justification: A summary of the rational behind the assessment, and its political, exploratory or management orientated origins.
  • Socio-economic aspects: A indication of whether socio-economic elements are included in the assessment, and links to available further information and/ or data.
  • Assessment schedule: Assessment start and end dates, current status, and an indication of periodicity if repeated.
  • Spatial data: An indication of whether spatial data is produced and if so the type.
  • Output, Approach and audience: A summary of the output types produced, methodological approaches and end user target groups.
  • Outreach activities: A summary of the types of activities and outputs produced to communicate assessment objectives or outputs to the wider community.

Filter by category:

The ‘filter by’ category option allows the user to view all assessments within the database assigned to each classification.

This page allows the user to export this full list of assessments into three formats:

  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Excel
  • PDF Document

The user can view each individual assessment in full detail by clicking on the hyperlink on the assessment title.