Mobilizing Marine Biodiversity Research:The Canadian Healthy

Oceans Network

A University / Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Partnership

Ryan Stanley for Paul Snelgrove

Memorial UniversityOf Newfoundland

Hab

itat

Siz

e (k

m2)

Scale of Threat (km2)

1010

010

210

410

610

810

Invasive speciesDisease

Circulation changeAcidficiation

Fishing Effects

Rainfall

SalinityEutrophication

Pollution

Habitat lossHydrology change

Open Ocean

Near Shore

Changing Ocean

Temp.

The scientific landscape is changing…

• Ecosystem-Based Management

• Convention on Biological Diversity

• Law of the Sea

• Oceans Act

A technology revolution is underway in ocean sciences

• Sampling Observation Modeling Identifying

Recognizing importance of biodiversity in

ocean function

Why Now?

Theme Leaders• Paul Snelgrove (MUN)• Kim Juniper (UVic)• Peter Lawton (FOC)• Phil Archambault (UQAR)• Chris McKindsey (FOC)• Anna Metaxas (Dal)• Pierre Pepin (FOC)• Paul Snelgrove (MUN)

Network Director

Theme Biodiversity

Theme Ecosystem Function

Theme Population Connectivity

Chone = marine worm in Canada’s three oceans reflecting healthy benthic habitats

CHONe Structure

CHONe Team:~150 researchers• 43 co-investigators [14 universities]• 8 collaborators [DFO]

• 6 Postdocs : 25 PhD : 20 MSc : 32 BSc

Ocean Health

Theme 3:

“Connectivity

”

Theme 2:

“Ecosystem Functions”

Theme 1:

“Biodiversity”

Theme #3

Theme #2

Theme #1

Characterization & Tools: What is the nature of cryptic diversity, the spatial distribution of biodiversity, & temporal changes in biodiversity?

Ecosystem function: How are functions linked to biodiversity & agents of disturbance (natural and human)?

Dispersal Dynamics: How does dispersal influence patterns of diversity, resilience, and source/sink dynamics of species and communities?

THEME I: BIODIVERSITY

How species biodiversity relates to different ocean habitats

Role of biodiversity in marine ecosystem services & predictive models to minimize

human impact

Role of larval dispersal in connecting local populations

THEME II: ECOSYSTEM FUNCTION

THEME III: POPULATION CONNECTIVITY

Research Program

MA

RosewayBasinCrowley

Basin

Gulf of Maine

Where are the hotspots of biodiversity and how rapidly do species turn over in space?

Example Theme #1

Hudson Bay

James BayVictoria

Frobiser Bay

Davis

Beaufort-McKenzie

942

60 m2 Area

Archambault et al. in prep

Arctic Baseline

Example Theme #1

Biodiversity & Ecosystem FunctionUnderwater Laboratories

Example Theme #2

• Microbial dynamics

• Sediment movement

• Community assemblages

• Water chemistry

A B

Settle

men

t

Passive Active

NFLD

NS

?

NS

NFLD

TemperatureViscosity

PLD Light attenuation

Circulation

Example Theme #3

Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 – postlarvae

Example Theme #3

Evaluate dispersal and population connectivity in lobster

Example Theme #3

• Field measurements of abundance and pattern In contrasting systems [ Newfoundland and NS]

Baseline spatial and temporal variability in abundance

Explore linkages between flow conditions, larval swimming ability and the biological and

oceanographic environment

Evaluate dispersal and population connectivity in lobster

Comparison of methods to quantify lobster connectivity

• Field measurements of passive flow field

High resolution flow field and passive mimics

• Biophysical models of larval dispersal

Connectivity and Dispersal

Evaluate dispersal and population connectivity in lobster

• Lab experiments on behaviour

Larval growth, behaviour and survival in different environments

Dispersal model for marine planning

+

=

International Policy• Sharing ideas

• Sharing strategies• Sharing advice

National Policy• Federal agencies with oceans agendas

Science• University

• Government• Other Partners

Conservation & Sustainable Use

of Canada’s Oceans

Key objectivesScientific

recomm

endations

Key o

bject

ives

Scien

tific

reco

mm

endat

ions

Science transfer

• Good science

• Ecosystem-based management tools

• Metrics for MPA outcomes

• Student training at science/policy interface

• Data products

• Outreach productsSources & Sinks

Ecosystem Health

New assessment methodologies

Disturbance models

Impact of oceanographicevents on recruitment

Environment and dispersal

Biodiversity

Taxonomic baselines

Biology of critical speciesDefining critical habitat Products for

End Users

Science transfer

Groups we’re working to partner with...

MarBEF, Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem FunctionCHARM III, Channel Habitat Atlas for Marine Resource ManagementCERF, The Commonwealth Environment Research Facilities ESONET, the European Seas Observatory Network HERMIONE, Hotspot Ecosystem Research & Man's Impact on European Seas ICES, the International Council for Exploration of the Sea TRACES, Trans-Atlantic Coral Ecosystem Study PISCO, Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans PICES, North Pacific Marine Science OrganizationGNSBFA, Gulf Nova Scotia Bonefide Fishermen’s AssociationFFAW (NL), Food and Fisheries Allied Workers Union

Science transfer

Funding Partners

Contact :Canadian Healthy Oceans NetworkMemorial University of Newfoundland St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada,  A1C 5S7

Tel: 709-864-6797Web: www.chone.ca