Aug 2, 2010: Representing the most comprehensive and authoritative answer yet to one of humanity’s most ancient questions -- “what lives in the sea?” -- Census of Marine Life scientists today released an inventory of species distribution and diversity in key global ocean areas.
Scientists combined information collected over centuries with data obtained during the decade-long Census to create a roll call of species in 25 biologically representative regions -- from the Antarctic through temperate and tropical seas to the Arctic. Their papers help set a baseline for measuring changes that humanity and nature will cause.
The recent Census papers were published as a collection entitled "Marine Biodiversity and Biogeography — Regional Comparisons of Global Issues" in the Public Library of Science. Gulf of Maine scientists, Dr. Lewis Incze and Nicholas Wolff, are co-authors one of these PLoS articles, Overview of Marine Biodiversity in United States Waters by Daphne Fautin et al.
Global biodiversity maps and links to more Census research that appeared in Nature (July 28) can be found in the Wired Science article, Warming of Oceans Will Reduce and Rearrange Marine Life.
Image: Dragonfish, Dr. Julian Finn, Museum Victoria
Call for Abstracts due Aug 27 for Annual Science Meeting
The Regional Association for Research on the Gulf of Maine (RARGOM) is holding its annual science meeting in Portsmouth, New Hampshire at the Hilton Garden Inn on October 6, 2010. The one-day meeting will feature focused talks, contributed talks and discussion on the Impacts of Climate Change in the Gulf of Maine. The meeting is intended to be of general interest to a broad range of researchers, managers and stakeholders in the Gulf of Maine region.
If interested in presenting a contributed talk or poster on new, old or developing research, please submit an abstract at the registration site: http://www.rargom.org/
Abstract submission deadline is August 27th.
Registration opens August 2, 2010. Registration fee is $25 for participants from RARGOM member institutions, $30 for non-members. Lunch and beverages will be provided.
Sylvia Earle, and Census of Marine Life at Ocean Summit, Nov 12 at UNH
The Census of Marine Life
will be featured in a keynote presentation by lead scientist, Dr. Paul Snelgrove and a panel discussion with leading Census researchers in the Gulf of Maine region. Summit participants will be invited to attend an evening presentation by Dr. Sylvia Earle, sponsored by the Gulf of Maine Marine Education Association.
The 2010 Ocean Literacy Summit will be held November 12th at the Univiersity of New Hampshire and is sponsored by the New England Ocean Science Education Collaborative, a network of aquaria, institutions, universities and science centers through the region.
Image: Sylvia Earle, photo by Al Giddings
2010 Student Winners - Future Marine Scientists
We are proud to announce the winner of the Celebrating Darwin Essay contest, Brett Davisson of Wells, Maine. Read his essay about Census research, Tagging of Pacific Predators: Following Darwin's Footsteps on our blog.
We join the National Ocean Science Bowl and partners in congratulating this year's winners of the Living on the Ocean Planet video contest: ConVal High School, NH.
A trust has been established in honor of friend and colleague, Dr. Robin Rigby. Proposals are invited from qualified individuals to undertake collaborative research projects that focus on understanding and implementing aspects of sustainable development in coastal areas. Specifically, the Robin Rigby Trust provides support to (1) Canadians travelling overseas, and (2) non-Canadians travelling to Canada, in both cases to undertake coastal research that involves collaboration with appropriate coastal communities, coastal research organizations, and/or coastal-focused non-governmental organizations. Applications are due October 31, 2010.
Image: Robin Rigby by S. Ryan
