Presentation Information
[O01-02]Unlocking Ocean Mysteries, Safeguarding the Future: The Forefront of Marine Ecosystem Dynamics★Invited Papers
*Toshio Suga1 (1.WPI-Advanced Institute for Marine Ecosystem Change (WPI-AIMEC), Tohoku University & JAMSTEC)
Keywords:
Ocean,Marine Ecosystem,Global Warming,Transdisciplinary Research
The ocean, covering approximately 70% of the Earth's surface, is the "source of all life." It accounts for half of the world's total photosynthesis and supports 80% of the Earth's total animal biomass. We receive countless benefits from the ocean, known as ecosystem services, ranging from the food we eat to the oxygen we breathe and the regulation of our global climate.
However, compared to the land, much of what happens beneath the waves remains a mystery. In particular, we still do not fully understand the mechanisms of how marine life responds and adapts to environmental stressors such as global warming, ocean acidification, sluggish circulation, and deoxygenation. For example, when a phenomenon called a "regime shift" occurs—a sudden and drastic change in the marine environment—it can lead to a collapse in fish catches or massive outbreaks of harmful jellyfish. Yet, we cannot yet accurately predict the causes or the timing of these shifts.
To solve these mysteries, we must break down the traditional barriers between research fields. It is essential to integrate physical oceanography and environmental science with biology and ecology.
In this talk, I will introduce the forefront of marine ecosystem research, which integrates cutting-edge technologies: from global networks of autonomous observation robots and satellites to environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis that identifies organisms from mere water samples. As this challenging research progresses, we will be able to project the ocean's future with high precision. Ultimately, this will allow us to safeguard our rich oceans and our way of life for generations to come.
However, compared to the land, much of what happens beneath the waves remains a mystery. In particular, we still do not fully understand the mechanisms of how marine life responds and adapts to environmental stressors such as global warming, ocean acidification, sluggish circulation, and deoxygenation. For example, when a phenomenon called a "regime shift" occurs—a sudden and drastic change in the marine environment—it can lead to a collapse in fish catches or massive outbreaks of harmful jellyfish. Yet, we cannot yet accurately predict the causes or the timing of these shifts.
To solve these mysteries, we must break down the traditional barriers between research fields. It is essential to integrate physical oceanography and environmental science with biology and ecology.
In this talk, I will introduce the forefront of marine ecosystem research, which integrates cutting-edge technologies: from global networks of autonomous observation robots and satellites to environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis that identifies organisms from mere water samples. As this challenging research progresses, we will be able to project the ocean's future with high precision. Ultimately, this will allow us to safeguard our rich oceans and our way of life for generations to come.