Structuring mechanisms and transformative potential of cold marine benthic ecosystems

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Cold marine benthic ecosystems (CMBE) in northern latitudes are expected to undergo significant changes over the next few decades. Understanding the drivers of alterations to CMBEs and their implication for conservation and management of marine habitats and resources is crucial to many northern countries like Canada because a large portion of their economy and social fabric depends heavily on the stability and productivity of CMBEs. My next 5-year NSERC program will generate core/critical ecological information about two pervasive CMBEs - kelp beds and rhodolith beds - and a dominant marine grazer - green sea urchin - in the cold marine systems of Newfoundland and Labrador. The aim is to establish a sound, science-based foundation to engage into a sustainable green sea urchin gonad industry. A part of this research will build upon findings in my previous NSERC program, a process that will again involve a highly inclusive and team-oriented cohort of students and development of new methods/techniques that best serve the needs of my program and the broader research community. Together we will combine laboratory and field experiments and surveys, and use multiple conventional to state-of-the-art technologies (e.g. scuba diving, submersible millimeter-accuracy 3-D laser camera, high accuracy mapping drone, artificial intelligence), to determine the ecological importance, stability, and vulnerability of kelp beds and rhodolith beds to natural and anthropogenic stressors. We will do this across a variety of biological (cells to ecosystems), spatial (meters to kilometers) and temporal (weeks to months) scales to gain a comprehensive understanding. We will characterize the interdependence between kelp beds, rhodolith beds, green sea urchin, and other dominant marine organisms to understand the range of ecosystem services provided, their resilience to environmental variability and anthropocentric utilization of green sea urchin resources. My program will engage 13 new highly qualified personnel (HQP) into 9 different, yet interrelated and thought-provoking research modules that will involve collaborations with academic, government, and industry partners, providing a rich and stimulating HQP training environment. It proposes innovative technological changes focusing on effective approaches to North Atlantic resource development that are sustainable, globally competitive, societally acceptable, and resilient to change. It will include activities to admit, engage, support, and graduate a diverse body of researchers and students, with attention to enhancing access and success of historically underrepresented groups. This type of program is very important for Canada and abroad to develop and maintain marine economic activities while remaining competitive at an international scale.