Observation of Ocean Biology on a Global Scale: Implementing Bio-GOOS

Abstract

One of the key messages to come from the OceanObs'09 Conference was that the 1990's revolution in technology for observing ocean physics (e.g. Argo (Array for Realtime Geostrophic Oceanography) and remote sensing) provided the scope for a truly operational Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) for key ocean physics variables during the first decade of the 21st century. Over the same period however, there had been limited progress in development of biological components within GOOS, the expansion of the Continuous Plankton Recorder network and the development of an Ocean Tracking network being promising exceptions. Excitingly, there have been quantum advances in the technology to study biological components of ocean ecosystems over the last few years. These include microbial samplers employing genetic and optical systems to identify and count the lower levels of food webs; smart electronic tagging technologies that allow animals to be tracked, their habitats and feeding habits revealed, and their physiology monitored; acoustic sensors and associated processing software to undertake qualitative and quantitative studies of animals in the water column; and mobile and fixed observation systems to explore benthic habitats and processes.The potential for these technologies to be deployed over the next decade is explored, along with the desirable advances in sensor technology. The challenges to the development of a comprehensive Bio-GOOS program are also explored.The urgent need for enhanced data on the state of ocean ecosystems that are under pressure from multiple human stresses, demands that the ocean biology community work together, with some urgency, to drive implementation of Bio-GOOS. Mature technologies are available now, and several others may reach this status over the next decade, to make BioGOOS a feasible prospect over this period.

Enhancing the Global Ocean Observing System to meet evidence based needs for the ecosystem‐based management of coastal ecosystem services

“…While much remains to be done in terms of capacity‐building in developing countries and emerging economies, minimizing problems of under sampling, and improving modeling capabilities and real‐time sensing capabilities (e.g., more accurate, higher spatial and temporal resolution for sea surface height and ocean surface vector winds from space and more accurate, small, inexpensive, stable, low power sensors that have long endurances and are less prone to bio‐fouling) this end‐to‐end system of systems is rapidly advancing our forecasting skill and understanding of changes in upper ocean and near‐shore geophysical states from the local to global scale (Send et al ., ). Similar capabilities are needed for IEAs (e.g., Gunn et al ., ; Send et al ., ).…”

Bringing Life to Ocean Observation

“…We know that the synergistic effects of rising temperature and carbon dioxide levels will destroy many coral reefs globally, and there is no possibility that all of this biodiversity is duplicated or can be transferred naturally to other sites. Alex Rogers [14] recently proposed at the Copenhagen climate change meeting to stockpile frozen reef specimens and/or their DNA and relocate or restore these ecosystems later, but it is still too early to assume that this could be entirely successful. What is clear is that locally some mid-latitude regions will have increased biodiversity as tropical species invade while traditional species hang on.…”

“…, Odd Aksel Bergstad (3) , Russell Brainard (4) , John Brattey (5) , Miquel Canals (6) , Dan Costa (7) , Kristina Gjerde (8) , John Gunn (9) , John K. Horne (10) , Katrin Iken (11) , John Kocik (12) , Brenda Konar (13) John Payne (14) , Chris Reid (15) , Bruce Robison (16) , Dirk Steinke (17) , Edward Vanden Berghe (18) ( …”

Observing Planktonic Ecosystems: Needs, Capabilities, and a Strategy for the Next Decade

“…Others at this meeting have shown systems that are currently emerging, e.g. [1] and [2]. We take a two-pronged approach.…”