Working Groups

WG1: Taxonomy & Evolution 

Lead: Adrian Glover, NHM, London, UK.  (a.glover@nhm.ac.uk)

The Census of Marine Life found that every second specimen collected from waters deeper than 3000 m likely belongs to a new species. With the development of improved sampling techniques, the number of deep-sea benthic and pelagic samples collected in the recent decades has been increasing. Despite the availability of this wealth of data and samples, difficulties remain in accessing the necessary information and the expertise to identify and classify the species within.

The aims from WG1 are to make available taxonomic identification tools and resources on the INDEEP website and to create new knowledge on teh evolution of life in the deep sea. 

To read more about WG1's activities see the first DIVE-IN (WG1)

WG2: Biodiversity & Biogeography 

Leads: Lenaick Menot, Ifremer, France (Lenaick.Menot@ifremer.fr) and Tim O'Hara, Museum Victoria, Australia (tohara@museum.vic.gov.au)

The deep-sea fauna is unquestionably diverse, but the question of quite how diverse remains unresolved. A recent study predicts a total of 2.2 million marine species, with a striking estimation of 91% of the species still awaiting description (Mora et al., 2011). Many may reside in the deep-sea, but our knowledge of large-scale biodiversity at global biogeographic maps is very limited. 

WG2 aims at investigating global patterns of biodiversity and biogeography for key species or taxa.

To read more about WG2's activities see the first DIVE-IN (WG2 - Biodiverity)  and DIVE-IN (WG2 - Biogeography)

WG3: Population Connectivity

Lead: Anna Metaxas, Dalhousie University, Canada (metaxas@dal.ca) 

To fully understand the maintenance of local populations, as well as estimating vulnerability and recovery of exploited systems, a good knowledge of the early life-history patterns of species and the exchange of individuals or “connectivity” is critical. However, data on the processes that impact upon connectivity is still lacking for most deep-sea species and improving knowledge of larval ecology remains one of the major challenges currently faced by deep-sea biologists (Metaxas & Kelly 2010).

WG3 aims at gathering all available information on deep-sea population connectivity in a synthesis paper and to design and develop a global field programme of recruitment experiments in collaboration with industry. 

To read more about WG3's activities see the first DIVE-IN (WG3)

WG4: Ecosystem Function

Lead: Andrew Thurber, Oregon State University, USA (athurber@coas.oregonstate.edu)

Ecosystem functions are the abiotic and biological processes that contribute to the maintenance of an ecosystem. Important ecosystem functions include food webs, biomass to organic-carbon flux ratios, rates of seafloor recycling and burial of organic matter. Understanding the functioning of an ecosystem and its relation to biodiversity patterns is essential in identifying its recovery potential from disturbance, both natural and anthropogenic.

WG4 focuses on establishing a baseline of knowledge about how the deep sea functions, identifying the mechanism by which the services provided by the deep sea will be impacted by climate change and modelling this impact of climate change in the world’s populations.

To read more about WG4's activities see the first DIVE-IN (WG4)

WG5: Anthropogenic Impact and Science Policy

Leads: Eva Ramirez-Llodra, ICM, CSIC, Spain (ezr@icm.csic.es) and Andrew Sweetman, NIVA, Norway (andrew.kvassnes.sweetman@niva.no )

Today, deep-sea scientists have the huge challenge of filling the important knowledge gaps that exist in our fundamental understanding of deep-sea biodiversity and function, so that this essential information may drive management of human activities ensuring long-term effectiveness. To ensure the maintenance of diversity and the environmentally sustainable use of resources, strong and bi-directional communication pathways need to be established between all stakeholders (scientists, industry, policy makers, NGOs and society).

WG5 aims at developing and strengthening these communication pathways amongst stakeholders with interest in the deep sea to promote the development of science policy and increase society’s awareness of this unique ecosystem.

To read more about WG4's activities see the first DIVE-IN (WG5)