CenSeam Synthesis Plan May 2008 CenSeam Synthesis Plan May 2008 I. Broad overarching synthesis themes and project outcome The CenSeam field project commenced in 2005, identifying several priority research themes which, during phase I (2005 – 2007), were focused, refined and further developed through the work of a community workshop, committee meetings, and the Data Analysis Working Group (DAWG). Entering into Phase II (2007 – 2009) two overarching priority themes were defined, and more focused key questions formulated which will enable the program to deliver more tractable and tangible outcomes (Table 1). Ultimately, the CenSeam science community expects to make a significant contribution towards reshaping the reigning scientific paradigms for seamounts. The two broad overarching synthesis themes are: Theme 1: What factors drive community composition and diversity on seamounts, including any differences between seamounts and other habitat types? Theme 2: What are the impacts of human activities on seamount community structure and function? Whilst addressing the following questions CenSeam researchers will examine various general ecological theories, for example, the theory of island biogeography and the diversity-habitat heterogeneity hypothesis. In addition, hypotheses that have been formulated with specific reference to seamounts will also be tested, e.g. the ‘oases of productivity’ and ‘biodiversity hotspot’ hypotheses. [Note: This synthesis document considers only those activities that remain to be completed, not those which have been achieved already or are well underway towards completion.] 1 CenSeam Synthesis Plan May 2008 Table 1: CenSeam Science Questions Question/dataset Responsible persons Update Theme 1 question (a) Does community composition and diversity differ between seamounts (and comparable slopes) in different regions, and what environmental factors cause large-scale geographic patterns? The distribution of the Derek Tittensor, Alex Finish compiling database and coral group Rogers, Amy Bacoenvironmental data layers. Run Octocorallia (global Taylor, Juan Sanchez, habitat suitability models. scale). Also a number Michelle Taylor, and Additional analyses. of other spin-off others as required. studies (at different spatial scales, assemblage composition etc). A comparison of the Derek Tittensor, Alex Will include at least two coral distribution of multiple Rogers, Amy Bacogroups, but may include more coral groups (global Taylor, Juan Sanchez, (dependent on data availability). scale). Michelle Taylor. The distribution of the Shane Ahyong, Keiji Evaluate COMARGE compiled squat lobsters Baba, Enrique records, move to suitable database. Galatheoidea (global Macpherson, Gary Compile environmental data layers. scale). Also a number Poore, and colleagues Run various analyses including of other spin-off from the COMARGE habitat suitability models. studies (at different squat lobster team in spatial scales, association with Tim assemblage O’Hara, Ashley composition etc). Rowden, and Thomas Schlacher of CenSeam. The distribution of fish Malcolm Clark and Requires data compilation effort. on seamounts (global Alan Williams. scale), and on seamounts and slope (regional scale only). Distribution of CenSeam DAWG. Number of taxa included in analysis multiple taxa (global depends on success of above data scale). compilations/analyes. Distribution of Marc Eleume and Tim Finish data reconciliation. Undertake Asteroidea in SW O’Hara. analyses. Pacific. (b) How important are differences in dispersal capabilities in producing spatial differences in species composition of the seamount? Distribution analysis Tim O’Hara. This depends on the success of of multiple taxa to compiling sufficient data for compare groups with different taxa under question (a). different dispersal 2 CenSeam Synthesis Plan May 2008 strategies. Connectivity of coral populations in SW Pacific (genetics). Review of dispersal strategies of seamount fauna in NZ region. Karen Miller. Requires inclusion of new data (under previous minigrant) and samples from latest voyages. Update list since last version and redraft accompanying text. Darren Stevens with CenSeam members Ashley Rowden, Malcolm Clark and Mireille Consalvey. (c) What environmental factors (e.g. hydrodynamic regimes, substrate age and type) cause differences in diversity and species composition of the seamount fauna at the scale of individual seamounts? Within seamount Alan Williams, Thomas Use of image & multibeam data. faunal distribution Schlacher. Some images & multibeam require patterns for Australian further analysis. seamounts. Within seamount Malcolm Clark and Use of image & multibeam data. faunal distribution Ashley Rowden. Some images & multibeam require patterns for New further analysis. Zealand seamounts. (d) Are seamounts centers of high biological productivity (as reflected in abundance/biomass)? Abundance and Alan Williams and Further image analysis required to biomass of Thomas Schlacher in capture additional variables (e.g. invertebrate fauna on association with length, area etc) to calculate biomass SE Australia CSIRO colleagues. Extra analysis of slope images. seamounts and slope. (e) Are seamount ecosystems characterized by unique trophic architecture? The trophic structure Thomas Schlacher. This represents an update of of benthic fauna on previous work. seamounts of the Norfolk Ridge (possibility to extend to non-benthic fauna). Theme 2, question (a) How vulnerable are seamounts to bottom fishing? The vulnerability of Derek Tittensor and Need to refine methodologies to the coral groups Malcolm Clark. define ‘overlap’, and compile Scleractinia and improved fishing data. Octocorallia to bottom trawling (global scale, with possibility of more detailed regional study). The vulnerability of Derek Tittensor and Depends of the availability of other taxonomic Malcolm Clark. suitable taxonomic data (e.g. groups to bottom Galatheoidea). 3 CenSeam Synthesis Plan May 2008 fishing. (b) What are the threats posed by non-trawl fishing (e.g. longlining) activities? The vulnerability of Derek Tittensor and Depends on access to good long-line the coral groups Malcolm Clark. data. Scleractinia and Octocorallia to longlining (regional scale, with possibility of global scale) (c) What are the likely effects of mining on seamount communities? Faunal assemblages of Amy BacoISA contracted study. Probably Co-rich crust habitat in Taylor,Chris Kelley, requires some value-added work on Central Pacific. and Malcolm Clark. non-Co-rich crust data. (d) How resilient are seamount communities likely to be to human-induced disturbance? Review data that Alan Williams, Thomas Dependent on outputs from other relates to recovery of Schlacher, and studies (some non-CenSeam) fauna to disturbance Malcolm Clark by fishing (small scale and larger scale studies) (e) What is likely influence of climate change on coral distribution of deep-sea habitats (including seamounts)? The influence of Derek Tittensor and Need to obtain the latest IPCC climate change on the Alex Rogers. predictions and incorporate into the distribution of the environmental data layers. coral groups Scleractinia and Octocorallia As work is completed for the questions presented above there may be opportunity to expand the studies to address further, or subsidiary, questions e.g. what is the relationship between local and regional diversity? Such questions will be given further consideration by CenSeam researchers Thomas Schlacher, Tim O’Hara and Derek Tittensor (also FMAP). II. Synthesis management structure Within CenSeam two persons are nominated as synthesis contacts: Ashley Rowden and Mireille Consalvey. 4 CenSeam Synthesis Plan May 2008 Table 2: CenSeam Synthesis Management Team Name Ashley Rowden Malcolm Clark Karen Stocks Mireille Consalvey Contact a.rowden@niwa.co.nz Responsibilities Main synthesis contact CenSeam Principle Investigator DAWG facilitator m.clark@niwa.co.nz CenSeam Principle Investigator DAWG, SWG kstocks@sdsc.edu CenSeam Principle Investigator SeamountsOnline database manager DAWG m.consalvey@niwa.co.nz CenSeam Project Coordinator Education and Outreach In addition, members of the DAWG and wider CenSeam community associated with synthesis analysis and write up tasks are detailed in Table 1. III. CenSeam Contribution to Census of Marine Life Synthesis Volume In December 2009 CenSeam will submit a chapter contribution to the Census of Marine Life Synthesis volume. It is intended that our Chapter will follow on from a planned review paper in the Annual Review of Marine Science (lead author Malcolm Clark). The review will identify specific major gaps in our knowledge, and make some comment as to where seamount research needs to head in the next decade. New questions will arise, and the paper will be able to provide some guidance in where and how to focus efforts. Therefore the chapter will be able to capitalise on the discussions and development of the review paper by outlining the research required to break the barriers to knowledge and the highlight the methodologies and technologies that will assist in moving from the unknown to the known. A preliminary outline is presented below. This will be further refined and developed at subsequent CenSeam workshops and meetings. CenSeam Chapter 1. The Known What are seamounts and where are they found A history of seamount research at the global scale Key issues for seamount ecosystems 2. From Unknown to Known (2000-2010) A brief history of seamount research 2005 – 2010: challenging paradigms Major gaps in seamount sampling and research endeavours towards closing gaps e.g. expansion in seamount sampling coverage and mining of historical data Increased understanding of seamount ecosystems relating to core CenSeam science themes Knowledge transfer and ramifications: to science and to stakeholders Moving beyond 2010: emerging issues and new questions 5 CenSeam Synthesis Plan May 2008 3. The Currently Unknown Core science questions that have not been answered – linking to (2) Biology of seamount species e.g. growth rates, age, dispersal methods Species new to science 4. How can we move from unknowable to knowable? What is the unknowable? What are current limits to seamount knowledge? Why we need to push the limits (what we stand to learn and why we cannot afford to accept the unknowable) Ideas to move the goalposts (dream cruises or technology, etc.) Blueprint for the future (beyond 2010) 5. Conclusions – major findings and major gaps, how to move forward? New seamount paradigms e.g. are seamounts oases in the oceans? are seamount ecosystems unique? Where to now – a map for future sampling effort Seamounts in the future: potential impacts etc Future of seamount sampling: a practical evaluation of how to move forwards post-CenSeam Approx. 6000 words. IV. Within-CenSeam synthesis plan For scientific audiences Scientific papers (1) Review Paper Scope: A multi-authored review paper for the Annual Review of Marine Science (invited). The paper will review published literature (including early CenSeam-related efforts of Samadi et al, O’Hara, Hall-Spencer et al, and Seamount Book) as well as the in press literature to provide a ‘state of the nation’ synthesis. Lead: Malcolm Clark will be the lead author and thus responsible for writing/collating/editing the text and for submitting the review on time. Submission: April 2009. (2) Special edition of journal Scope: A special seamount issue containing up to 15 ‘challenging the paradigm’ papers that will shape the new seamount paradigms, including an introductory chapter by the guest editors, and a final synthesis chapter by the CenSeam Principle Investigators and the Steering Committee. Talks are ongoing with the target journal Marine Ecology. Responsible persons: The special issue will be jointly edited by Ashley Rowden and Thomas Schlacher as guest editors. Submission: Mid-2009 following a Special Issue Workshop March 2009 (location TBC). 6 CenSeam Synthesis Plan May 2008 (3) Review Paper Scope: A multi-authored review paper for a journal (to be decided based on results and author preference). The paper will be more focused than (1) - reviewing published literature (including the early (Seamount Book) and most recent (Special edition) CenSeam-related efforts as well as the in press literature to provide a ‘state of the nation’ synthesis of the human impacts on benthic fauna of seamounts (probably focussing on deep-sea coral). Responsible persons: Derek Tittensor and Malcolm Clark. Submission: 2010. All three papers will be major outputs for the 2010 finale. Workshops (4) DAWG Synthesis work shop and initiation of Octocoral analysis Who: DAWG members (including Derek Tittensor of FMAP). When: mid May 2008. Where: Queensland, Australia. Funding: CenSeam. Outcome: The work will contribute towards the PhD thesis of Michelle Taylor, and upon completion will be published in the primary literature. A number of publications are expected with different lead authors. (5) Co-rich crusts on seamounts workshops Who: Co-crust project team and any from DAWG as required. When: No later than May 2009. Where: Kingston, Jamaica (International Seabed Authority - ISA). Funding: ISA. Outcome: Report and data to the International Seabed Authority (provisional list of species found at crusts and non-crusts, locations and representative image) and development of relevant publications. (6) Image Analysis Workshop and linked workshop on data analysis of Australian and NZ data Who: Interested parties from wider seamount/deep-sea community as well as members of the DAWG and SWG. When: TBD (potentially April 2009). Where: Monteray Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI). Funding: CenSeam. Outcome: Participants will be more confident in consistently assigning identifications to the featured taxonomic groups, including fish, corals, sponges, anemones, asteroids, holothuroids, echinoids and may include select groups of gastropods, bivalves, cephalopds, miscellaneous worms, crustaceans, crinoids and ophiuroids. The workshop will facilitate a greater level of standardisation across the image anaylsis community and 7 CenSeam Synthesis Plan May 2008 will further serve as a test bed for future workshops on particular taxonomic groups and specific habitats. For Public Audiences (1) Expansion of MAR-ECO Deeper than Light Exhibition Aim: To develop the successful MAR-ECO exhibition to incorporate all CoML deep-sea projects through the Deep Sea Education and Outreach team (DESEO). The new module will set the deep sea in a wider global context as well as highlight some of the recent and exciting census discoveries. Lead contact: Mireille Consalvey. Date: January 2009. Funding: CenSeam. (2) Expansion of CenSeam website Aim: To expand the CenSeam website for a public audience providing general information on seamount ecosystems through posters, leaflets, creature feature cards and video clips as well as some fun activities e.g. deep-sea origami. Lead contact: Mireille Consalvey. Date: Ongoing. Funding: CenSeam. In particular the expanded MAR-ECO exhibition - encompassing all 5 Census deep-sea field programmes (under the DESEO umbrella) - will be a major event at the 2010 finale. For Stakeholders and Policy Audiences (1) Impact of fisheries on seamount ecosystems Aim: To describe and quantify the nature and extent of fishing activities on seamounts Lead: Malcolm Clark (NIWA) and Alan Williams (CSIRO). Progress: There is ongoing review of seamount fisheries globally, and fishing impacts building on chapters published in Blackwells Seamount Book (Pitcher et al. 2007). There is liaison between New Zealand and Australian seamount research projects to give a regional dataset on fishing impacts and “recovery” of benthic fauna. CenSeam researchers will attend and present this research at the 5th World Fisheries Congress in 2008 (Seamount session) and then publish in the planned CenSeam special issue. Outcome: Improved understanding of the impacts of fishing activities, and means of reducing impacts are identified. (2) Impact of mining on seamount ecosystems Aim: To describe the nature and extent of mining activities on seamounts. Lead: Malcolm Clark and Amy Baco-Taylor. Progress: Following from a CenSeam workshop hosted by the ISA in 2006, the ISA is supporting research in 2008-09 on the biodiversity of Cobalt-rich seamount crusts in the central northern Pacific Ocean. A workshop will be held at the ISA in 2009 to review this work and develop plans to manage exploratory mining activities. 8 CenSeam Synthesis Plan May 2008 Outcome: Improved understanding of the impacts of mining activities, and means of reducing impacts are identified. (3) Impact of climate change on seamount ecosystems Aim: To describe the nature and extent of changes potentially due to climate change on seamounts Lead: Derek Tittensor (Dalhousie) and Alex Rogers (IZL). Progress: Predictive modeling of habitat suitability for stony corals was completed and published by UNEP (Clark et al. 2007), and further work to refine that analysis, and extend to octocorals, is underway. This work will be discussed at the DeepSea Corals conference in December 2009. Outcome: Improved understanding of the impacts of climate change, and means of ameliorating such changes. (4) Management of exploitation of seamount resources Aim: To provide information and advice to stakeholders and policy agencies on the sustainable management of biological and geological resources of seamounts. Lead: Malcolm Clark (NIWA) and Gui Menezes (University of the Azores). Progress: CenSeam has previously provided information to the UNGA, and workshops hosted by FAO on the development of guidelines for fishing on the high seas (2006, 2007, ongoing). A report has recently been published by IUCN on scientific background to these guidelines (Rogers et al. 2008), and CenSeam has ongoing input to the South Pacific RFMO on vulnerable marine ecosystems and the development of benthic assessment standards. Several reports are due from this in 2008. Outcome: Protocols and regulations are in place to manage the effects of human activities on seamounts (fishing and mining in particular) (5) Conservation of seamount ecosystems Aim: To provide information and advice on measures necessary to conserve biodiversity on seamounts. Lead: Malcolm Clark (NIWA) and Alex Rogers (IZL). Progress: A PEW-funded workshop to further develop a seamount MPA design (initiated at a PEW-ISA workshop in November 2007) is to be held in May 2008. This will continue into 2009 and will be presented at the International Marine Conservation Congress in May 2009. CenSeam researchers are involved in the recent work (the “GOODS” report) on global biogeographical patterns (including benthic biodiversity on seamounts). This work is continuing in association with the GeoHab 2008 conference. Outcome: Improved design of global seamount MPAs to maximize efficacy of conservation networks. V. Cross-project syntheses CenSeam-linked researchers have been identified as potential contacts for CoML cross project synthesis activities (Table 3). The main activity as identified by CenSeam is participation in SYNDEEP. Within CenSeam two options for the level of participation within SYNDEEP have been identified, either a minimal attendance (1 person – Ashley 9 CenSeam Synthesis Plan May 2008 Rowden) or, if adequate funding achieved a larger party (Ashley Rowden with Thomas Schlacher, Karen Stocks, Derek Tittensor, and Alan Williams) In addition to the activities identified by CoML, CenSeam is also linking with other field projects e.g. participation in a COMARGE workshop on habitat heterogeneity recognizing linkages between seamount and slope habitats. CenSeam researchers have also established links with the COMARGE regards developing an analysis of slope versus seamount habitat for galatheoids. Table 3. CenSeam participation in CoML Synthesis Topics NB: Not all suggested participation has been confirmed. Type of Product Invited Leader Diversity Topics 1. A complete list of named species. Edward Vanden Berghe. 2. Marine species pages for 230,000 Edward Vanden species. Berghe. 3. Barcodes for 50,000+ species Dirk Steinke, covering broad taxonomic range. Ann Bucklin, Nancy Knowlton. 5. Estimates of unknown species. Derek Tittensor, Edward Vanden Berghe. 6. Trends in diversity past to future. Heike Lotze, Boris Worm, Camilo Mora. Distribution Topics 7. Range maps for 80,000+ species. Edward Vanden Berghe, Pat Halpin. 8. New global biogeography(ies), Mark Costello, zonation, (communities/biomes). Pat Halpin, Paul Snelgrove. 10. Geography of biodiversity Boris Worm, hotspots (and coldspots). MERGED Barbara Block, WITH UNKNOWN SPECIES. Pat Halpin. 12. Relationship of community types, Roland Pitcher, diversity or species distribution to Peter Lawton. habitat. Abundance Topics 13. Fresh estimates of biomass by Elva Escobar, trophic and/or species levels in all Gilbert Rowe. realms. Funding CenSeam contacts OBIS. Tim O’Hara. OBIS. Tim O’Hara. BOLD. Tim Shank. Synthesis Group. Tim O’Hara. FMAP. Derek Tittensor. M & V, Synthesis Group. Synthesis Group Karen Stocks. Synthesis Group Tim O’Hara Synthesis Group. Ashley Rowden Synthesis Group Alan Williams/Thomas Schlacher. Tim O’Hara 10 CenSeam Synthesis Plan May 2008 Type of Product 14. Fresh estimate of changes in size distribution of animals. Invited Leader Funding CenSeam contacts Boris Worm. Synthesis TBD Group, FMAP Cross cutting Topics: Diversity and Distribution and Abundance 15. Oceans past and present as Synthesis No leader precursors for Oceans Future (both Group. identified. worse and better). 16. The “roles of the rare.” – what Mitch Sogin. Synthesis Karen Stocks. rare species do. Group. 17. “Deeper than light” – life where Eva RamirezSynthesis Ashley Rowden. sunlight is absent. Aka SYNDEEP. Llodra. Group. 18. “Changing Oceans” – relative Boris Worm, FMAP. Malcolm Clark. role of fisheries, habitat change, Camilo Mora. climate variability etc. 19. Estimates of what has been lost Synthesis No leader or might be lost soon. Group. identified. 20. Census technologies for a Ed Urban. SCOR Alex Rogers. “transparent ocean”. technolog y panel. VI . Visualization outputs for CenSeam For COML-wide plans for data visualization CenSeam has identified Mireille Consalvey (public) and Karen Stocks (science) as the points of contact. At the time of writing Karen Stocks is road testing the beta version of SeamountsOnline and future developments within SeamountsOnline may utilise the COML visualisation team. We are awaiting feedback on the suggested visualization output for CenSeam which was to develop an animation of a seamount e.g. a "day in the life" perhaps showing factors such as: 1) vertical migrations of the plankton with day/night 2) current movements e.g. trapping plankton 3) taylor columns 4) sporadic visitors e.g. whales, fish, fishing boats etc 11 CenSeam Synthesis Plan May 2008 VII . Synthesis Timelines/milestones for deliverables Dates 12-14 May 2008. 15-16 May 2008. 8 – 12 September 2008. 13 – 15 September 2008. Items 2008 DAWG Synthesis Planning workshop. Octocoral analysis workshop. COMARGE workshop on Habitat Heterogeneity. SYNDEEP. October 2008. Visualisation and Mapping Workshop. October 2008. World Fisheries Conference. SYNDEEP 2. WCMB (Chess/CenSeam session). SSC meeting after WCMB. 8 November 2008 (TBC). 11 – 15 November 2008. 16 and 17 November. December 2008. January 2009. 1 – 5 February 2009. March 2009. April 2009 (date not final). May 2009. 20 – 24 May 2009. August 2009. Deep-Sea Coral Meeting, (Seamounts session). 2009 New Deeper than Light exhibition unveiled encompassing CenSeam contribution. CoML Synthesis workshop, Queen Mary. Final CenSeam Workshop for Special Issue. Image Analysis Workshop, incorporating SWG meeting. Co-Crust workshop. International Marine Conservation Congress. Draft cross-project syntheses, inc SYNDEEP. Contacts DAWG. Derek Tittensor. Ashley Rowden and Alan Williams. Ashley Rowden, Alan Williams, Thomas Schlacher, Karen, Derek Fernando Tempera, Mireille Consalvey and Karen Stocks. Malcolm Clark and Alan Williams. As above. Tim Shank. Malcolm Clark, Ashley Rowden, Karen Stocks. Malcolm Clark. Mireille Consalvey Mireille Consalvey Guest Editor of Special Issue (TBC) Thomas Schlacher Amy Baco-Taylor Malcolm Clark Malcolm Clark, Ashley Rowden, Karen Stocks Draft version of CenSeam project synthesis for book chapter. 12 CenSeam Synthesis Plan May 2008 September 2009. September 2009. Deep-Sea Biology Meeting. CenSeam SC meeting. November 2009 Update on project methodologies to CoML. Final versions of all cross project synthesis products (including SYNDEEP). Final version of CenSeam project synthesis for book chapter. National Geographic Maps. December 2009 December 2009 TBC March 2010 September 2010 October 2010 2010 Final CenSeam SC Meeting. Special Edition published. Grand Finale. Baban Ingole Malcolm Clark, Ashley Rowden, Karen Stocks Malcolm Clark, Ashley Rowden, Karen Stocks Malcolm Clark, Ashley Rowden, Karen Stocks Malcolm Clark, Ashley Rowden, Karen Stocks Mireille Consalvey and Karen Stocks Malcolm Clark, Ashley Rowden, Karen Stocks Guest Editor TBC Malcolm Clark, Ashley Rowden, Karen Stocks 13