Ocean Observing
The mission of the Census is to assess and explain the changing diversity, distribution, and abundance of marine species from the past to the present. This baseline information provides trends by which future projections can be made, and ongoing observations of biology and biodiversity in the oceans are crucial for understanding and mitigating problems in the marine ecosystem. CoML is demonstrating technologies and methods that can be implemented into global ocean observing systems to:
- Understand environmental factors affecting human health and well-being
- Understand, assess, predict, mitigate and adapt to climate variability and change
- Improve weather information and forecasting (via animal oceanographers)
- Improve the management and protection of coastal and ocean ecosystems
- Understand, monitor and conserve biodiversity
Why Ocean Observations?
Marine biodiversity is one of the least understood areas of the oceans, which cover 70 percent of Earth’s surface and encompass more than 90 percent of its biosphere. The ocean and its ecosystems are changing in ways we do not yet fully understand as a result of human interaction as well as of natural planetary cycles. Despite years of research, very little is known about what lives in the oceans. Even the feeding, breeding, and migration patterns of many commercially valuable marine species remain a mystery.
Addressing marine issues through biological observations:
CoML Video on Ocean Biodiversity Observations
- High resolution version for web
- Low resolution version for web
- High quality version for PowerPoint presentations (.wmv file)
- High quality version for web – SPANISH LANGUAGE (MP4)
POGO Video on Ocean Observations Overview
- High resolution version for web
- Low resolution version for web
- High quality version for PowerPoint presentations (.wmv file)
- High quality version for web – SPANISH LANGUAGE (MP4)
The Census’ early achievements The above was submitted for GEO’s Report on Progress November 2007: The First 100 Steps to GEOSS
The Full Picture, a GEO publication (refer to CoML chapter on page 267)
Press Release – “Human Safety, Prosperity Depend on Better Ocean Observing System: Scientists call for adequate initial system to produce insights, forecasts useful to public, policy makers”
The Census and Ocean Observing Systems (brochure, November 2007)
Examples provided to GEO Work Plan (2006):
Climate change and natural distributions of endangered and commercial ocean species
Minimizing loss of coral reef biodiversity by site triage and short-term protection
Harmful Algal Blooms in Cardigan Bay (Prince Edward Island, Canada)
More Information about Observing Systems
Partnership for Observation of the Global Oceans (POGO)
