Smithsonian Marine Science Network

Transcription

1 Smithsonian Office of the Under Secretary for Science Smithsonian Marine Science Network Michael A. Lang January

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3 Smithsonian Marine Science Network The Smithsonian Marine Science Network is a unique array of laboratories and research vessels that spans the latitudinal gradient of the western Atlantic and crosses the isthmus of Panama. 3

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5 Importance Ocean productivity is concentrated in the coastal zone where nutrients run off the land and well up from the deep. The coastal environments include the Earth's most biologically productive ecosystems: estuaries, wetlands, mangroves, sea grasses, coral and oyster reefs. They are of immense economic and environmental importance and comprise 95% of the oceans' fisheries. Our coastal communities are the most densely populated and fastest growing areas in the U.S. 5

6 Goals To ensure the Network s integrated support of Discovering and Understanding Life s Diversity, a core scientific mission of the Smithsonian Science Strategic Plan. To ensure that the whole of the integrated Network is greater than the sum of its parts leading to enhanced productivity through: collaborative and comparative research facilitated by increased inter-unit coordination; marine infrastructure development and support; professional training and outreach; effective allocation of research funding; and, transparent management, participation, and support for Smithsonian marine scientists through availability of shared resources and facility access.

7 Milestones 1998: Formalization of a pan-institutional Marine Science Network initiated at inaugural workshop at SERC (50+ SI participants) 1999: Dedication of new Carrie Bow Cay Marine Field Station 1999: Dedication of new Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce 2000: MSN concept and infrastructure allocations approved by Under Secretary for Science 2001: Launch of the MSN website : Annual MSN Calls for Proposals for Infrastructure, Research Awards and Postdoctoral Fellowships 2003: Dedication of Bocas del Toro Marine Laboratory 2006: Science Executive Committee review of marine science 2007: Formulation of Big Questions in Marine Science 2007: Smithsonian Marine Science Symposium 2009: Lang, M.A., I.G. Macintyre, and K. Ruetzler, eds. Smithsonian Contributions to the Marine Sciences, Vol. 38. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press. 529 pp.

8 MSN Assets Facility access to important ecosystems: Chesapeake Bay Indian River Lagoon and Gulf Stream Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Isthmus of Panama: Caribbean/Pacific Research vessels: Near-shore coastal oceanographic research vessels and workboats Scientific Diving Program 8

9 MSN Uniqueness Comprehensive, long-term studies of crucial ecosystems at a latitudinal gradient of stable sites. Publications (x000s) provide data for synthesis and a new baseline for modeling and forecast. Many important marine organisms have yet to be identified by conventional and molecular techniques and described. Life histories require further analysis to aid ecological understanding and fisheries management. 37-year multidisciplinary databases allow for early detection and evaluation of community changes, invertebrate diseases, invasive species, and recruitment caused by environmental degradation and catastrophic events.

10 MSN Importance These complex ecosystems include sea grasses, mangrove islands, bays, estuaries, and coral reefs. To preserve these precious resources we must learn about their rich biodiversity, function, and interconnectedness. Only a long-term commitment will allow us to understand the dynamics of coastal processes. To obtain the cooperation of the public and educate a new generation.

11 MSN Results Individual and pan-institutional collaborative research Postdoctoral marine fellows Marine science staff and infrastructure support Workshops Bocas del Toro Taxonomy Coral Reef Management Twin Cays Mangrove Ecology Marine Genetics Seagrass and Mangrove Ecosystems Neogastropod Evolution Marine Invasive Species Acroporid Corals Marine Success Stories Marine turtle research methodologies

12 Scientific Diving Program : 72,785 dives by 2,327 scientists

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14 Global Biodiversity Crisis What is this species (taxonomy)? How are species related (phylogenetics)? Where are they found (biogeography)? How do species interact (ecology)? How did they come to be (evolution)? How are they used (ethnobiology)? How do they respond to change (paleobiology and conservation)? What is the history and structure of coral reefs (geology)? 14

15 Smithsonian Marine Science Symposium Lang, M.A., I.G. Macintyre, and K. Ruetzler, eds Smithsonian Contributions to the Marine Sciences Vol. 38. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press. 529 pp. Marine Biodiversity, Evolution and Speciation Biogeography, Invasive Species and Marine Conservation Life histories, Microbial and Behavioral Ecology Forces of Ecological Change in Marine Systems

16 Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

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18 Wetlab

19 Smithsonian Environmental Research Center Callinectes sapidus 19

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21 Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce 21

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25 Carrie Bow Cay, Belize 25

26 Habitats

27 Mangal Cay Virtual Trail 27

28 Idiacanthus Liopropoma 28

29 Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute

30 Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute 30

31 Education Marine fellowship program School groups (Culebra Nature Center, Galeta Point Marine Lab, Bocas del Toro Lab) Public seminars Panamanian gov t Graduate courses

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33 Holacanthus limbaughi 33

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35 NATURE 24 June 04 Ocean Planet (1995) 35

36 Monitoring Galeta Point, Panama: Stressors: oil pollution, nutrient pollution and sedimentation due to excessive run-off from deforested areas. Panama Coral Reef Monitoring Network (H. Guzman) Galeta Oil Spill

37 Historical Overfishing Historical overfishing and recent coral reef ecosystem collapse documents the destructive threats these systems have been facing by removal of top predators. (Jackson, JBC et al. 2001) Cayos Cochinos, Honduras Tsukiji fish market, Tokyo

38 MSN Education 3D IMAX Galapagos film Smithsonian Sustainable Seafood Cookbook Shorefishes of the Eastern Tropical Pacific 38

39 National Museum of Natural History Deep water reefs The Galapagos 3D IMAX film project resulted in the discovery of 15 new species of fishes and invertebrates in 15 days of JSL submersible diving. 39 Anthias

40 National Museum of Natural History The Galapagos 3D IMAX project ( ) used a 1300 lb housing/camera with flat port and two divers to operate.

41 National Museum of Natural History Sant Ocean Hall The Ocean is a global system essential to all life, including yours.

42 Dissemination of Knowledge Exhibits and Peer-Reviewed Publications 42

43 Marine Collections and Publications Peer-reviewed publications: 6,000+ Field guides and identification keys Marine invertebrate, algal, fish and geological collections Smithsonian Contributions to Marine Science, Zoology, and Botany Atoll Research Bulletin Databases 43

44 Acknowledgments Smithsonian Johnson and Hunterdon Oceanographic Research Trust Endowments MSN Steering Committee: Biff Bermingham, Rob Fleischer, Tuck Hines, Michael Lang, Valerie Paul, and Phil Taylor Office of the Under Secretary for Science 44

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