Transcript Census of Marine Zooplankton

Census of Marine Zooplankton
CMarZ is a proposed new field project of the Census
of Marine Life to address the overarching question:
“what are the patterns of zooplankton biodiversity
throughout the world ocean, and how are they
generated and maintained”?
CMarZ is a taxonomically comprehensive, globalscale census of marine zooplankton, to produce
accurate and complete information on species
diversity, biomass, and biogeographical distributions.
CMarZ will analyze the ~6,800 described species –
and likely discover at least this many new species –
of marine metazoan and protozoan holozooplankton
by 2010.
Census of Marine Zooplankton
The Challenge
There are estimated to be many times
more plankton species in the world oceans
than are currently described.
Taxonomic groups where species
discovery is particularly likely include
fragile and rare groups, and cosmopolitan
species whose ranges span more than one
ocean basin.
All regions of the deep-sea – and many
unexplored regions and biodiversity
“hotspots” – are certain to yield many new
species in multiple taxonomic groups.
Census of Marine Zooplankton
The Goal
A taxonomically comprehensive, globalscale census of marine plankton, to
produce accurate and complete
information on species diversity, biomass,
biogeographic distribution, and other
individual and aggregate characters.
We seek to analyze the ~6,800 described
species – and likely discover at least this
many new species – of marine metazoan
and protozoan zooplankton by 2010.
Baseline Information for Zooplankton of the World Ocean
Census of Marine Zooplankton
Launching the project - 2004
Baseline Report: A summary of the status of our current
knowledge of biodiversity of the plankton, including all taxa
we include within the Census of the Plankton, with
information on:
- numbers of recognized species,
- degree of completeness of our knowledge,
- biogeographical patterns of distribution, and
- biomass estimates.
Science Plan: A realistic description of the conceptual basis,
scientific rationale, and logistical plans for implementation
of the program, reflecting the Known, Unknown, and
Unknowable context of the Census of Marine Life, and
rooted in scientific questions and hypotheses that focus on
important issues of our time.
Census of Marine Zooplankton
The Approach (1)
Taxonomically-comprehensive, global-scale surveys: It will
be essential to examine widely-distributed, cosmopolitan,
and circumglobal species across their geographic range,
i.e., designing global surveys of exploration and
discovery.
Use of existing plankton samples: Archived collections of
preserved plankton samples are an invaluable storehouse,
which should be mined for new data and information on
biodiversity of the plankton.
Ships of opportunity: We envision an international
partnership using ships of opportunity and a coordinated
international network of technicians, taxonomic experts,
and biological oceanographers.
Census of Marine Zooplankton
The Approach (2)
Targeted regions and biodiversity “hotspots”: New
investigations should be launched to explore
hydrothermal vents, seeps, deep-sea coral beds, polar,
and mesopelagic to abyssal regions, as well as
ecosystems which may be centers of speciation (e.g.
Indo-Pacific regions, including the Banda Sea).
Development of new tools for exploration and analysis: In
addition to traditional net and bottle collection
techniques, we will require new sampling methodologies
to collect and study the rare and more fragile forms, e.g.,
AUVs, ROVs, submersibles, and towed vehicles,
equipped with optical and acoustic sensors.
Census of Marine Zooplankton
The Approach (3)
DNA-based technologies: Molecular systematic data will
play a role in species identification and discovery: we
will codify described species by a DNA reference
sequence or “barcode”. Phylogenetic analysis of DNA
sequences will be used to reveal cryptic species and
classify newly-discovered taxa.
Data management, analysis and visualization: All data will
be integrated into the Ocean Biogeographical
Information System (OBIS). The internet will be used to
share data and information, and meet the need for
coordinated international efforts. We will produce
internet-accessible databases including both
morphological and molecular characters, interactive
keys, and species’ web pages.
Census of Marine Zooplankton
The Approach (4)
International partnership: Global-scale sampling and
analysis will require coordination and synergy among
institutions, scientists, and students.
Professional training: Preparation of the next generation
of researchers and technical experts is an integral
element of the census.
Education and outreach: High quality communications
materials – including brochures, posters, and books –
will be essential to draw public interest, and to ensure
that new knowledge is introduced into curricula for
classrooms from kindergarten to college.
Global Patterns of Zooplankton Biodiversity
A) Collection locations of
archived alcoholpreserved zooplankton
samples available for
CMarZ project
participants.
B) Geographic areas of
focus for CMarZ
cooperating projects
during 2004-2005 (A =
funded, B = proposed).
Global Patterns of Zooplankton Biodiversity
Species diversity of planktonic foraminifera is highest in
subtropical latitudes and lowest in the equatorial zone.
(Figure from Rutherford et al. 1999)
Longhurst (1998)
What Does the Future Hold?
DNA reference sequences (or “barcodes”)
will provide additional taxonomic
characters for species identification, and
may provide the basis of rapid, automatable
protocols for species identification.
DNA microarrays will allow molecular
identification of any known species;
unknown species must be first identified by
an expert.
Lab-on-a-chip miniaturization and automation
will allow remote detection from
oceanographic platforms.
Census of Marine Zooplankton
Project Time-Line
October 2003 – Proposal for a planning workshop for a CoML
“Census of the Plankton”
March 2004 – Planning workshop hosted by the University of
New Hampshire to design and produce a proposal for a
programmatic umbrella and infrastructure.
June 2004 – CoML / Sloan Foundation proposal submitted
July 2004 – Science and implementation plan finalized.
September 2004 – CMarZ project offices established in USA,
Japan, and Germany
2004 – 2010 – Integrated set of cooperating field projects, with
ongoing sample analysis, and database management.
Project Estimated Cost
Estimated $10 - $15M over seven years