National Marine Sanctuaries as Sentinel Sites for a Demonstration Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON)

Frank Muller-Karger, University of South Florida, carib@usf.edu (Presenter)
Scott Donahue, NOAA FKNMS, scott.donahue@noaa.gov
Steve Gittings, NOAA ONMS, steve.gittings@noaa.gov
Mya Breitbart, University of South Florida, mya@usf.edu
Enrique Montes, University of South Florida, emontesh@mail.usf.edu
Megan Hepner, University of South Florida, mhepner90@gmail.com
Maria Kavanaugh, WHOI, mkavanaugh@whoi.edu

Three National Marine Sanctuaries serve as nodes of a Demonstration Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON). The objectives are to 1) Integrate and synthesize information from ongoing monitoring programs coordinated by the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS); 2) Define the minimum set of observations required for implementing a practical, useful MBON; 3) Develop technology for biodiversity assessments through emerging environmental DNA (eDNA) molecular methods and autonomous sample collection; 4) Integrate biodiversity measurements in a relational database that links to national and international biodiversity databases and that informs NOAA’s emergency response system; 5) Establish a protocol for MBON information to dynamically update Sanctuary status and trends reports; and 6) Understand the linkages between marine biodiversity and the social-economic context of a region.

The MBON pilot will be developed in collaboration with the Florida Keys, Monterey Bay, and FLower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuaries and several other offices at NOAA, BOEM, and each of the states involved.

The program will use the novel eDNA techniques and ongoing observations to evaluate habitat diversity and diversity of lower to higher trophic levels, to define the ecological state variables responsible for significant change in biodiversity indices and help identify invasive species. Multidisciplinary remote sensing will be used to evaluate dynamic 'seascapes' to extend the spatial footprint of the in situ data. These time series of biodiversity and environmental observations will help construct conceptual and forecast models of the inter-relations between human dimensions, climate and environmental variability, and ecosystem structure at multiple trophic levels. A plan to transition the MBON to operations will be developed in partnership with NOAA and the IOOS program.

A goal is to provide a framework and suggested best practices to develop similar linked observing programs at other locations nationally and internationally, to help assess global trends and changes in marine biodiversity.

Presentation Type:  Poster

Session:  Theme 1: Tracking habitat change through new integrative approaches and products   (Mon 1:30 PM)

Associated Project(s): 

• Muller-Karger, Frank: A Decision Support System for Ecosystem-Based Management of Tropical Coral Reef Environments ...details

Poster Location ID: 34