About INDEEP - International network for scientific investigation of deep-sea ecosystems

Description of project

The aim of the International Network for Scientific Investigations of Deep-Sea Ecosystems (INDEEP) is to develop and synthesise our understanding of deep-sea global biodiversity and functioning and provide a framework to bridge the gap between scientific results and society to aid in the formation of sustainable management strategies. 

The INDEEP programme, funded by the Total Foundation for the first three years from 2011 to 2013, was launched in December 2010 with a kick-off meeting in New Orleans, attended by 41 participants representing 16 different countries. We gratefully acknowledge the Total Foundation and Census of Marine Life projects ChEss, COMARGE, CeDAMar, CenSeam and EuroCoML for funding this first meeting.  

During this meeting, research priorities for the INDEEP community and the need to ensure fluent communication amongst all stakeholders and parties with interests in the deep ocean were discussed. As a result, INDEEP aims to bring together and help coordinate research and communication efforts from across the globe through 5 working groups targeting the following topics:

1.     Taxonomy and Evolution

2.     Biodiversity and Biogeography

3.     Population Connectivity

4.     Ecosystem Function

5.     Anthropogenic Impact and Science Policy

 Organisation

The INDEEP office is run by Dr Maria Baker (Uni. Southampton, UK) at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton. The programme is managed by a Steering Committee composed of the Principal Investigators and Oversight Committee:

Principal  Investigators

• Dr  Maria Baker,  Uni of  Southampton  (UK) (Project Manager)
• Dr  Mireille  Consalvey,  NIWA (NZ)  (Mireille has now left this project)
• Dr  Eva  Ramirez‐Llodra,  Institut  de  Ciències  del Mar,  CSIC  (Spain)
• Dr  Lenaick  Menot,  Ifremer‐Brest  (France)
• Dr  Bhavani Narayanaswamy,  SAMS (UK)

Oversight  Committee

• Prof  Paul  Tyler,  University  of  Southampton,  (UK) (Chair) 
• Prof  Craig  Smith,  University  of  Hawaii  (USA)  
• Dr  Malcolm  Clark,  NIWA (NZ)  
• Prof  Robert  Carney,  Louisiana  State  University  (USA)
• Prof  Myriam  Sibuet,  Institut  Océanographique  de  Paris  (France)

Working Groups

Each working group is led by one or two internatinal scientists that coordinate activities addressing INDEEP objectives. Activities within the working groups are developed by a large number of scientistis from around the globe.

1. Taxonomy and evolution (WG Leader: Adrian Glover, UK)
2. Global biodiversity and biogeography (WG Leaders: Lenaick Menot, France & Tim O’Hara, Australia)
3. Population connectivity (WG Leader: Anna Metaxas, Canada)
4. Ecosystem function (WG Leader: Andrew Thurber, USA)
5. Anthropogenic impact and science policy (WG Leaders: Eva Ramirez-Llodra, Spain &  Andrew Sweetman, Norway)

INDEEP has now over 400 members representing 36 different countries.

Hosting  Institution: National  Oceanography  Centre,  Southampton,  School  of  Ocean  and  Earth  Science,  University  of  Southampton, United Kingdom. 

Duration  of  project:  3  years  initially,  with  a  view  to  continuing  via  other  funding  sources.

Further information

For further, highly illustrated information, watch our DIGITAL OBJECT or read the first set of DIVE IN briefs (from 2011).