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Biodiversity of the Gulf of Mexico

Biodiversity of the Gulf of Mexico. by Wes Tunnell Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Regional Affiliate CoML Project. Goals: Census/inventory all biota Book and Web Determine species distribution depths habitats

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Biodiversity of the Gulf of Mexico

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  1. Biodiversity of the Gulf of Mexico by Wes Tunnell Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Regional Affiliate CoML Project • Goals: • Census/inventory all biota • Book and Web • Determine species • distribution • depths • habitats • literature • Determine taxonomic expertise • Determine gaps in knowledge

  2. 2007 Scientific Results Data compilation completed • ~15,500 species in 38 phyla/divisions • 77 chapters (taxa) • 138 authors/co-authors • 71 institutions • 14 countries H. Moody H. Moody Submitted to Texas A&M University Press • September 2007 • Possible publication in late 2008

  3. 2007 Scientific Results Gulf of Mexico – Origin, Waters, and Biota (50 – year update of Bulletin 89: 1954) • Economics (May 2007) • Geology (September 2007) • Biota (September 2007) • Ecosystem-based Management (November 2007) • Physical Oceanography (2008) • Chemical Oceanography (2009) • Human Issues (2009)

  4. Diversity Comparison of Selected Marine Species Inventories Geographic Region Total No. Species Geographic Size Compiler Unknown: of 38 phyla/divisions range of unknown species varies from 0% (reptiles, mammals) to 100% (nematomorphs, loriciferans)

  5. Distribution Example of Checklist: (Calder-Hydroids)

  6. Abundance Gulf of Mexico Diversity Project Did Not Deal with Abundance (due to variation in LME)

  7. Steps Toward Project Synthesis for 2010 Questions to be asked in Phase II (Digital Phase) Example of Taxa Tabulations

  8. Synthesis Outputs Paper being developed for Science or Nature on overall project. Synthesis will come in next phase: • Phase I – concept, tabulation of data, book • Phase II – conversion to digital/database – placement on World Wide Web – GulfBase (www.gulfbase.org) – OBIS (www.iobis.org) (?) – synthesis, analysis Photos: F. Moretzsohn

  9. Visualization & Communication Gulf of Mexico Distribution/Boundaries

  10. Science Impact Science Impacts I 2003 Questions • What do we know now about Gulf of Mexico biodiversity? • How many species reside in the Gulf of Mexico (LME)? • Which species are endangered? Threatened? Invasive? Extinct? • Which species are in which habitat? • What is the distribution of each species? • What taxonomic and ecologic literature is available? • Who are the taxonomic authorities for Gulf species? • Where focus future efforts – taxonomically, geographically?

  11. Science Impacts II • Benefits and Uses: • Access checklist 24/7 • Utilize full bibliographic database of all species • Use checklist to determine species/taxon distribution by depth, • geographic location, habitat • Identify knowledge gaps by taxa, geographic region, habitat • Focus research towards knowledge gaps • Utilize data to establish MPAs • Utilize for EIS preparation • Follow trends in threatened, endangered, and invasive species • Map patterns of species richness • Provide consistent taxonomy • Use for conservation and management • Update or post new information immediately and at low cost

  12. Development of Invasive Species “Early Warning System” with NOAA, HRI, TPWD Invasive Species Initiative on oil and gas platforms with SERC and HRI Societal Impact of Results to Date

  13. Project Data Available in OBIS None! Will it be? H. Moody

  14. Next Steps • Phase II • conversion to digital/database (2008) • placement on GulfBase (late 2008) • multiple analyses and applications (2009-2010) H. Moody M. Wicksten H. Moody

  15. Limits to Knowledge ? In Prep! Questions?

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