From Pattern to Process: Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning

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Ecologists intuitively sense that species matter but other than fisheries collapses evidence that biodiversity matters is limited, particularly in marine ecosystems. This program addresses two interrelated objectives that address this gap for living fauna in marine sediments, the most widespread habitat on Earth. Our research group combines laboratory and field experiments to understand biodiversity patterns, and more recently the relationship between biodiversity and key aspects of how oceans stay healthy, such as oxygenation of sediments, production of new biomass, and nutrient regeneration. We also study larval supply, behavior, and species interactions to elucidate why pattern varies in nature and why species such as clams and lobsters occur only in some environments. But what is the importance of this pattern for ocean health? Historically, sediment chemistry has hindered significant advances because it challenges manipulation and measurement. Our group is positioned to utilize new advances in tiny sensors that measure key sediment variables, robotic underwater vehicles that allow us to explore the ocean depths, and ocean observatories such as VENUS that allow us to "see" and sample the seafloor in real time. These tools allow significant advances in understanding which seafloor environments are most important in delivering key functions, in evaluating the role of biodiversity and different groups of organisms in this delivery, and in assessing impacts of species loss associated with natural (methane seeps, landslides) and human induced (reduced oxygen, trawling, oil spill) disturbances. Oceans directly affect the economic and social well-being of Canadians on all three coasts and indirectly affect every Canadian (climate regulation, secure food supply). Canada has the longest coastline in the world, but a small science community. These obstacles challenge Canada's capacity to fulfill major commitments on sustainable oceans in our Oceans Act and commitments to the Convention on Biological Diversity. Despite inevitable increase in pressure on ocean resources, we still lack scientific grounding for sustainable ocean use. The work proposed here will help to minimize the impacts of those diverse pressures and to advise wise ocean policies.