NASA Ocean Biology & Biogeochemistry Program Paula Bontempi NASA Headquarters Washington, D.C.

1. Earth’s Living Ocean: The Undiscovered World NASA Ocean Biology & Biogeochemistry Program Paula Bontempi NASA Headquarters Washington, D.C.

2. Emerging Scientific Questions for the NASA OBB Program • How are ocean ecosystems and the biodiversity they support influenced by climate or environmental variability and change, and how will these changes occur over time? • How do carbon and other elements transition between ocean pools and through the Earth System, and how do these biogeochemical fluxes impact the ocean and Earth’s climate over time? • What is the diversity and geographical distribution ofcoastal marine habitats? How and why do these habitats change, and what are theimplications for the well-being of human society? • How do naturalhazardsand pollutants impact the hydrography and biology of the coastal zone? How do they affectus,and can wemitigatetheir effects?

3. Ecosystems & Diversity, Carbon & Biogeochemistry,Habitats & Hazards • Relevance: • changing ecosystem structure, function, distribution on synoptic to climatic time scales • impact on higher trophic levels (e.g., fish, reptiles, birds, mammals) • Science: • Assessing biogeography in a multidisciplinary manner • Quantifying ocean productivity • Identifying plankton functional groups • Benefits to society: • Assessing ecosystem health, services • Understanding nutrient and carbon sinks/sources • Improving human welfare

4. Ecosystems & diversity, Carbon & Biogeochemistry,Habitats & Hazards • Relevance: • Impacts and feedbacks of climate variability and change on biogeochemistry • Impacts of humans • Science: • Assessing primary producer biomass • Estimating carbon fluxes • Understanding climate controls • Benefits to society: • Assessing/verifying ocean carbon credit trading, mitigation strategies • Helping manage climate and adapting to change

5. Ecosystems & diversity, Carbon & Biogeochemistry,Habitats & Hazards • Relevance: • Growing human population density and dependence on ocean resources • Changing coastal environments • Science: • Classification of regional marine habitats and coastal landscapes • Measuring impacts of land use in coastal waters • Understanding climate control • Assessing fisheries and shelf ecosystem resilience • Monitoring red tides and coral reef health • Benefits to society: • Basis for ecosystem-based management • Improving human health, recreation, and commerce

6. Ecosystems & diversity, Carbon & Biogeochemistry,Habitats & Hazards • Relevance: • Significant risk to human life and property • Protection of natural environments • Science: • Acute hazards: • Tsunamis & Hurricanes • Pollution • Harmful Algal Blooms • Chronic Hazards: • Ocean warming and sea level rise • Ocean acidification • Eutrophication • Benefits to society: • Forecasting of hazards • Disaster preparedness/security • Mitigation tools

7. Carbon Cycle & Ecosystems Science Measurement Technology Options Variable fluorescence lidar4 Physiology & Functional Groups Multi/Hyper Radiometer2

8. Earth’s Living Ocean: The Undiscovered World • NASA seeks to advance understanding of the Earth’s living ocean through global research, observations and predictive models • Community Feedback Welcome: paula.s.bontempi@nasa.gov • March 2006 - Draft plan will be on-line (oceancolor.gsfc.nasa.gov) • 11-13 April 2006 – Community Discussion • NASA Ocean Color Research Team Meeting – (Newport, RI) • June/July 2006 - Final draft/new initiative package • Plan – Living Document • Carbon Cycle & Ecosystem Focus Area Advance Plan