The Census of Marine LifeThe Census of Marine Life

Discovering the marine communities of the past.Discovering the marine communities of the past.

Exploring the multitude of ocean life today.Exploring the multitude of ocean life today.

Predicting the pattern of ocean ecosystems in the Predicting the pattern of ocean ecosystems in the future.future.

The Census of Marine LifeThe Census of Marine Lifeis:is:

a a researchresearch program that will examine changes in program that will examine changes in the diversity, distribution and abundance of the diversity, distribution and abundance of marine organisms in time and space marine organisms in time and space

an an internationalinternational program that will involve experts program that will involve experts in a variety of biological fields from around the in a variety of biological fields from around the globeglobe

an an emergingemerging program that will identify key program that will identify key questions and support observations and research questions and support observations and research over the next 5-10 yearsover the next 5-10 years

The Census of Marine LifeThe Census of Marine LifeWhy Now?Why Now?

Urgent need for biological information Urgent need for biological information around the world to enable the around the world to enable the conservation of living resourcesconservation of living resources

Availability of new techniques and Availability of new techniques and technologies that enable us to better technologies that enable us to better understand the oceanunderstand the ocean

The Census of Marine LifeThe Census of Marine LifeWhy Now - Environmental ChangesWhy Now - Environmental Changes

UN Framework Convention on Biodiversity UN Framework Convention on Biodiversity - requires signatories to collect information - requires signatories to collect information on living resourceson living resources

Marine Protected AreasMarine Protected Areas Sustainable FisheriesSustainable Fisheries Global Climate ChangeGlobal Climate Change

The Census of Marine LifeThe Census of Marine LifeWhy Now - New Techniques/TechnologiesWhy Now - New Techniques/Technologies

Data Management - high-speed computing, Data Management - high-speed computing, distributed networksdistributed networks

Technologies - access to the environmentTechnologies - access to the environment– AUVs, ROVsAUVs, ROVs– Novel acoustic and optical sensorsNovel acoustic and optical sensors– Satellite communications for real-time observations Satellite communications for real-time observations

from fixed and floating platformsfrom fixed and floating platforms Data Analysis - numerical modeling of Data Analysis - numerical modeling of

biological data with physical/chemical databiological data with physical/chemical data

The Census of Marine LifeThe Census of Marine LifeSelected Elements of the ProgramSelected Elements of the Program

Ocean Biogeographical Information SystemOcean Biogeographical Information System History of Marine Animal PopulationsHistory of Marine Animal Populations New TechnologiesNew Technologies Pilot Research ProjectsPilot Research Projects New ElementsNew Elements

– Large-scale research projectsLarge-scale research projects– ModelingModeling

The Ocean Biogeographical Information SystemThe Ocean Biogeographical Information System A Vision to Address the Data Management NeedA Vision to Address the Data Management Need

A distributed electronic information system through which A distributed electronic information system through which marine biological databases on species diversity, marine biological databases on species diversity, distribution and abundance can be accessed via the distribution and abundance can be accessed via the InternetInternet

Data accessed by the system will be able to be processed Data accessed by the system will be able to be processed into interactive visualizations, in the same way as a typical into interactive visualizations, in the same way as a typical geographical information system (GIS) - will require geographical information system (GIS) - will require georeferenced datageoreferenced data

Visualizations will be three-dimensional (including depth) Visualizations will be three-dimensional (including depth) and four-dimensional (with time)and four-dimensional (with time)

The Ocean Biogeographical Information SystemThe Ocean Biogeographical Information SystemBackgroundBackground

The Need:The Need: A data assimilation framework for new A data assimilation framework for new and historical data amassed by the Census of Marine and historical data amassed by the Census of Marine Life (CoML)Life (CoML)

First Steps:First Steps:– OBIS Workshop (November 1999) developed an OBIS Workshop (November 1999) developed an

initial vision and strategyinitial vision and strategy– Call for proposals under US program (NOPP)Call for proposals under US program (NOPP)– Second OBIS Workshop (September 2000) Second OBIS Workshop (September 2000)

developed system prioritiesdeveloped system priorities

The Ocean Biogeographical Information SystemThe Ocean Biogeographical Information SystemNOPP FY 2000 OBIS GrantsNOPP FY 2000 OBIS Grants

Call for Proposals issued in Fall 1999. Seeking Call for Proposals issued in Fall 1999. Seeking proposals in two areas:proposals in two areas:– System design and developmentSystem design and development– Data compilationData compilation

Funded eight new research projects for $3.7 Funded eight new research projects for $3.7 million over two years million over two years

Funded projects involve 63 partner institutions in Funded projects involve 63 partner institutions in 15 countries15 countries

The Ocean Biogeographical Information SystemThe Ocean Biogeographical Information SystemNOPP FY 2000 OBIS GrantsNOPP FY 2000 OBIS Grants

Funded projects cover a broad range of taxa - Funded projects cover a broad range of taxa - fish, fish, cephalopods, molluscs, zooplankton (gelatinous forms and cephalopods, molluscs, zooplankton (gelatinous forms and crustaceans), corals and anemonescrustaceans), corals and anemones

Funded projects can also be characterized in other Funded projects can also be characterized in other waysways– System designSystem design - one is single taxon, museum-based and globally - one is single taxon, museum-based and globally

distributed, one is multiple taxa plus environmental data in a single distributed, one is multiple taxa plus environmental data in a single regionregion

– Data compilationData compilation - two working with existing, web-based - two working with existing, web-based resources; two with global taxonomic experts; one in the context resources; two with global taxonomic experts; one in the context of a major oceanographic time series; one with genetic dataof a major oceanographic time series; one with genetic data

The Ocean Biogeographical Information SystemThe Ocean Biogeographical Information SystemFY00 Projects Funded - System DesignFY00 Projects Funded - System Design

System development and designSystem development and design– The FISHNET Distributed Biodiversity The FISHNET Distributed Biodiversity

Information SystemInformation System, Edward O. Wiley, Natural , Edward O. Wiley, Natural History Museum, University of KansasHistory Museum, University of Kansas

– Development of a Dynamic Biogeographic Development of a Dynamic Biogeographic Information System: A Pilot Application for the Information System: A Pilot Application for the Gulf of MaineGulf of Maine, Dale A. Kiefer, Wrigley Institute for , Dale A. Kiefer, Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Southern Environmental Studies, University of Southern CaliforniaCalifornia

The Ocean Biogeographical Information SystemThe Ocean Biogeographical Information SystemFY00 Projects Funded - Data CompilationFY00 Projects Funded - Data Compilation

Projects with Major, Existing Web-based Projects with Major, Existing Web-based ResourcesResources– Census of Marine Fishes: Definitive List of Census of Marine Fishes: Definitive List of

Species and Online Biodiversity DatabaseSpecies and Online Biodiversity Database, , William N. Eschmeyer, California Academy of William N. Eschmeyer, California Academy of Sciences (with FishBase)Sciences (with FishBase)

– Expansion of CephBase as a Biological Expansion of CephBase as a Biological Prototype for OBISPrototype for OBIS, Phillip G. Lee, University , Phillip G. Lee, University of Texas Medical Branchof Texas Medical Branch

The Ocean Biogeographical Information SystemThe Ocean Biogeographical Information SystemFY00 Projects Funded - Data CompilationFY00 Projects Funded - Data Compilation

Projects With Global Taxonomic ExpertsProjects With Global Taxonomic Experts– A Biotic Database of Indo-Pacific Marine A Biotic Database of Indo-Pacific Marine

MollusksMollusks, Gary Rosenberg, Academy of , Gary Rosenberg, Academy of Natural Sciences, PhiladelphiaNatural Sciences, Philadelphia

– Biogeoinformatics of Hexacorallia (Corals, Sea Biogeoinformatics of Hexacorallia (Corals, Sea Anemones, and their Allies): Interfacing Anemones, and their Allies): Interfacing Geospatial,Taxonomic, and Environmental Geospatial,Taxonomic, and Environmental Data for a Group of Marine InvertebratesData for a Group of Marine Invertebrates, , Daphne G. Fautin, University of KansasDaphne G. Fautin, University of Kansas

The Ocean Biogeographical Information SystemThe Ocean Biogeographical Information SystemFY00 Projects Funded - Data CompilationFY00 Projects Funded - Data Compilation

A Project Within the Context of A Major A Project Within the Context of A Major Oceanographic Time-SeriesOceanographic Time-Series– Diel, Seasonal, and Interannual Patterns in Diel, Seasonal, and Interannual Patterns in

Zooplankton and Micronekton Species Zooplankton and Micronekton Species Composition in the Subtropical AtlanticComposition in the Subtropical Atlantic, , Deborah Steinberg, Bermuda Biological Station Deborah Steinberg, Bermuda Biological Station for Research, Incfor Research, Inc

The Ocean Biogeographical Information SystemThe Ocean Biogeographical Information SystemFY00 Projects Funded - Data CompilationFY00 Projects Funded - Data Compilation

A Project Using Genetic DataA Project Using Genetic Data– ZooGene, a DNA Sequence Database for ZooGene, a DNA Sequence Database for

Calanoid Copepods and Euphausiids: An OBIS Calanoid Copepods and Euphausiids: An OBIS Tool for Uniform Standards of Species Tool for Uniform Standards of Species IdentificationIdentification, Ann Bucklin, University of New , Ann Bucklin, University of New HampshireHampshire

The Census of Marine LifeThe Census of Marine LifeHistory of Marine Animal PopulationsHistory of Marine Animal Populations

An interdisciplinary research program that An interdisciplinary research program that uses historical and environmental archives uses historical and environmental archives to examine the recent history of marine to examine the recent history of marine communitiescommunities

Goals are to examine:Goals are to examine:– The ecological impacts of large-scale harvestingThe ecological impacts of large-scale harvesting

– Long-term changes in stock abundanceLong-term changes in stock abundance

– The role of marine resources in historical developmentThe role of marine resources in historical development

The Census of Marine LifeThe Census of Marine LifeHMAP Progress and FundingHMAP Progress and Funding

PHASE I - A workshop to of environmental PHASE I - A workshop to of environmental historians, fisheries biologists, paleoecologists, and historians, fisheries biologists, paleoecologists, and anthropologists to define the scope of HMAP and anthropologists to define the scope of HMAP and discuss specific research projects. 27 participants discuss specific research projects. 27 participants from 9 countries, Feb. 2000from 9 countries, Feb. 2000

PHASE II - A collaboration of three institutions to PHASE II - A collaboration of three institutions to fund 8 case studies to identify and analyze historical fund 8 case studies to identify and analyze historical data on natural populations. US$1.2 million over data on natural populations. US$1.2 million over two years to 31 institutions in 18 countries, Dec. two years to 31 institutions in 18 countries, Dec. 20002000

The Census of Marine LifeThe Census of Marine LifeHMAP Case StudiesHMAP Case Studies

Northwest Atlantic (Gulf of Maine, Newfoundland-Grand Banks, Greenland cod fisheries)

Southwest Pacific (Southeast Australian Shelf and Slope fisheries, New Zealand Shelf fisheries)

White and Barents Seas (Russian and Norwegian herring, salmon and cod fisheries)

Norwegian, North and Baltic Seas (Multinational cod, herring and plaice fisheries)

Southwest African Shelf (Clupeid fisheries in a continental boundary current system)

Worldwide Whaling (Historical & 20th Century whaling in all oceans) California Current (Clupeid fisheries in a boundary current system) New - Caribbean communities, impact of the removal of large preds.

The Census of Marine LifeThe Census of Marine LifeHMAP Steering CommitteeHMAP Steering Committee

Poul Holm, Southern Denmark UniversityPoul Holm, Southern Denmark University Tim Smith, US National Marine Fisheries Tim Smith, US National Marine Fisheries

Service, NE Fisheries Science CenterService, NE Fisheries Science Center David Starkey, University of HullDavid Starkey, University of Hull Robert Francis, University of WashingtonRobert Francis, University of Washington Andy Rosenberg, University of New Andy Rosenberg, University of New

HampshireHampshire

The Census of Marine LifeThe Census of Marine LifeNew Technologies WGNew Technologies WG

New Technologies for Observing Marine New Technologies for Observing Marine LifeLife– Working Group through the Scientific Working Group through the Scientific

Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR)Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR)– First meeting - 9-11 Nov. 2000, Sidney, BCFirst meeting - 9-11 Nov. 2000, Sidney, BC

Pilot Research Projects to demonstrate new Pilot Research Projects to demonstrate new technologies or techniques for the CoMLtechnologies or techniques for the CoML

The Census of Marine LifeThe Census of Marine LifePilot ProjectsPilot Projects

Experimental studies aimed at Experimental studies aimed at determining the feasibility of and determining the feasibility of and technical requirements for future technical requirements for future Census of Marine Life Projects.Census of Marine Life Projects.

Short term - 2-3 yearsShort term - 2-3 years Regional or basin-scaleRegional or basin-scale

The Census of Marine LifeThe Census of Marine LifePilot Research ProjectsPilot Research Projects

Census of Marine Life in the Gulf of Maine, Ken Foote, Woods Hole Census of Marine Life in the Gulf of Maine, Ken Foote, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, USAOceanographic Institution, USA

Patterns and Processes of the Ecosystems of the Northern Mid-Atlantic, Patterns and Processes of the Ecosystems of the Northern Mid-Atlantic, Odd Aksel Bergstad, Institute of Marine Research, NorwayOdd Aksel Bergstad, Institute of Marine Research, Norway

Pacific Ocean Salmon Tracking, David Welch, Pacific Biological Pacific Ocean Salmon Tracking, David Welch, Pacific Biological Station, Nanaimo, British Columbia, CanadaStation, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada

Tagging of Pacific Pelagics, Barbara A. Block, Stanford University, Tagging of Pacific Pelagics, Barbara A. Block, Stanford University, USAUSA

Chemosynthetic Ecosystems (ChEss) in the Arctic and Northern Atlantic Chemosynthetic Ecosystems (ChEss) in the Arctic and Northern Atlantic Oceans, Cindy Lee Van Dover, College of William and Mary, USA Oceans, Cindy Lee Van Dover, College of William and Mary, USA

Coastal Survey of the Western Pacific, Yoshihisa Shirayama, Seto Coastal Survey of the Western Pacific, Yoshihisa Shirayama, Seto Marine Biological Laboratory, Kyoto University, JapanMarine Biological Laboratory, Kyoto University, Japan

Pilot ProjectPilot ProjectCensus of Marine Life in the Gulf of MaineCensus of Marine Life in the Gulf of Maine

Ken Foote, Woods Hole Oceanographic Ken Foote, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, USAInstitution, USA

ObjectivesObjectives– Develop and use new technologies to study the Develop and use new technologies to study the

diversity, distribution, and abundance of marine diversity, distribution, and abundance of marine life in the Gulf of Maine life in the Gulf of Maine

Pilot ProjectPilot ProjectPatterns and Processes of the Ecosystems of the Patterns and Processes of the Ecosystems of the

Northern Mid-AtlanticNorthern Mid-Atlantic

Odd Aksel Bergstad, Institute of Marine Research, Odd Aksel Bergstad, Institute of Marine Research, NorwayNorway

ObjectivesObjectives– Describe and understand the patterns of Describe and understand the patterns of

distribution, abundance and trophic relationships distribution, abundance and trophic relationships of the organisms inhabiting the mid-oceanic of the organisms inhabiting the mid-oceanic North AtlanticNorth Atlantic

– Identify and model the ecological processes that Identify and model the ecological processes that cause variability in such patternscause variability in such patterns

Pilot ProjectPilot ProjectPacific Ocean Salmon TrackingPacific Ocean Salmon Tracking

David Welch, Pacific Biological Station, Nanaimo, David Welch, Pacific Biological Station, Nanaimo, British Columbia, CanadaBritish Columbia, Canada

ObjectivesObjectives– Develop and implement new technology for data-Develop and implement new technology for data-

storage tagsstorage tags– Use tags to track immature and maturing salmon Use tags to track immature and maturing salmon

offshoreoffshore– Develop a monitoring program to track juvenile Develop a monitoring program to track juvenile

salmon on the continental shelfsalmon on the continental shelf

Pilot ProjectPilot ProjectTagging of Pacific PelagicsTagging of Pacific Pelagics

Barbara A. Block, Stanford University, USABarbara A. Block, Stanford University, USA ObjectivesObjectives

– Develop offshore tagging program, using Develop offshore tagging program, using advanced data-storage tags, to track large advanced data-storage tags, to track large vertebrates (whales, turtles, pelagic fish)vertebrates (whales, turtles, pelagic fish)

Pilot ProjectPilot ProjectChemosynthetic Ecosystems (ChEss) in the Arctic and Chemosynthetic Ecosystems (ChEss) in the Arctic and

Northern Atlantic OceansNorthern Atlantic Oceans

Cindy Lee Van Dover, College of William and Cindy Lee Van Dover, College of William and

Mary, USAMary, USA ObjectivesObjectives

– Analyze the diversity, distribution and Analyze the diversity, distribution and abundance of marine life in deep-sea abundance of marine life in deep-sea chemosynthetic ecosystems in the North Atlantic chemosynthetic ecosystems in the North Atlantic and Arctic oceansand Arctic oceans

– Develop and use innovative methods and tools to Develop and use innovative methods and tools to find and survey these systemsfind and survey these systems

Pilot ProjectPilot ProjectCoastal Survey of the Western PacificCoastal Survey of the Western Pacific

Yoshihisa Shirayama, Seto Marine Biological Yoshihisa Shirayama, Seto Marine Biological Laboratory, Kyoto University, JapanLaboratory, Kyoto University, Japan

ObjectivesObjectives– Quantitatively survey marine life and examine Quantitatively survey marine life and examine

biodiversity in near-shore areas in the Western Pacific biodiversity in near-shore areas in the Western Pacific in a continuum from the northern to southern boreal in a continuum from the northern to southern boreal regions using traditional sampling methodsregions using traditional sampling methods

– Sponsored through the Diversitas International in the Sponsored through the Diversitas International in the Western Pacific Area (DIWPA) programWestern Pacific Area (DIWPA) program

The Census of Marine LifeThe Census of Marine LifeAdditional Interests/ActivitiesAdditional Interests/Activities

Develop research projects in conjunction with Develop research projects in conjunction with natural history museums and marine laboratoriesnatural history museums and marine laboratories

Develop activities in conjunction with ICESDevelop activities in conjunction with ICES Collaborate with PICES in the development of a Collaborate with PICES in the development of a

Status of the North Pacific effortStatus of the North Pacific effort Work with the US DoS and other countries to Work with the US DoS and other countries to

represent the CoML at the summit on sustainable represent the CoML at the summit on sustainable development (Rio+10), Johannesburg, Sept. 2002development (Rio+10), Johannesburg, Sept. 2002

Establish national/ regional committees, incl. USEstablish national/ regional committees, incl. US

The Census of Marine LifeThe Census of Marine LifeSecretariatSecretariat

Located at CORE in Washington, DCLocated at CORE in Washington, DC Coordinates and facilitates Census of Marine Life Coordinates and facilitates Census of Marine Life

activities, includingactivities, including

– meetings of the Steering Committee and advisory meetings of the Steering Committee and advisory groups,groups,

– workshops and reports on topics of interest,workshops and reports on topics of interest,

– contacts with international and intergovernmental contacts with international and intergovernmental agencies and organizations,agencies and organizations,

– outreach to a variety of sectors such as research, outreach to a variety of sectors such as research, industry, non-profit organizations, and the mediaindustry, non-profit organizations, and the media

The Census of Marine LifeThe Census of Marine LifeScientific Steering CommitteeScientific Steering Committee

J. Frederick Grassle, Rutgers University, USA (Chair)J. Frederick Grassle, Rutgers University, USA (Chair) Vera Alexander, University of Alaska, USAVera Alexander, University of Alaska, USA Patricio Bernal, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, Patricio Bernal, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission,

FranceFrance Donald Boesch, University of Maryland, USADonald Boesch, University of Maryland, USA David Farmer, Institute for Ocean Science, CanadaDavid Farmer, Institute for Ocean Science, Canada Carlo Heip, Netherlands Institute for Ecology, The NetherlandsCarlo Heip, Netherlands Institute for Ecology, The Netherlands Poul Holm, Southern Denmark University, DenmarkPoul Holm, Southern Denmark University, Denmark Olav Rune Godoe, Inst. of Marine Research, NorwayOlav Rune Godoe, Inst. of Marine Research, Norway Yoshihisa Shirayama, Kyoto University, JapanYoshihisa Shirayama, Kyoto University, Japan Andrew Solow, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, USAAndrew Solow, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, USA

The Census of Marine LifeThe Census of Marine LifeScientific StrategyScientific Strategy

Provides the vision and overall goals for the Provides the vision and overall goals for the programprogram

Defines the questions that the CoML will try to Defines the questions that the CoML will try to answer over the lifetime of the programanswer over the lifetime of the program

Focuses the CoML into a series of studies that can Focuses the CoML into a series of studies that can be accomplished in a 10 year timeframebe accomplished in a 10 year timeframe

Identifies appropriate funding sourcesIdentifies appropriate funding sources To be released in late 2001 for review by the To be released in late 2001 for review by the

scientific communityscientific community

The Census of Marine LifeThe Census of Marine LifeExpected Accomplishments - 2001Expected Accomplishments - 2001

Completion of draft Scientific StrategyCompletion of draft Scientific Strategy Pilot research projects - start of the planning phasePilot research projects - start of the planning phase Outreach into SW Pacific via IOC/WESTPAC Outreach into SW Pacific via IOC/WESTPAC

workshop (Oct. 2001, Phuket, Thailand)workshop (Oct. 2001, Phuket, Thailand) Development of the initial elements of the Ocean Development of the initial elements of the Ocean

Biogeographical Information SystemBiogeographical Information System Establishment of OBIS International Committee Establishment of OBIS International Committee

and formal relationship with GBIF (summer 2001)and formal relationship with GBIF (summer 2001)

The Census of Marine LifeThe Census of Marine LifeContact InformationContact Information

Website address: www.coml.orgWebsite address: www.coml.org Secretariat contacts:Secretariat contacts:

– Cynthia Decker, Cynthia Decker, cdecker@COREocean.orgcdecker@COREocean.org

– Ron O’Dor, rodor@COREocean.orgRon O’Dor, rodor@COREocean.org