Geospatial modelling and mapping of seafloor ecosystems

Human pressures on the ocean continue to increase. Improved understanding of the spatial distribution of seabed organisms and habitats is of paramount importance for implementing effective marine spatial planning and sustainable resource management. The emerging field of seascape ecology, the ocean-centric equivalent of landscape ecology, offers a solution to this problem by providing a way to study marine systems within a spatial framework. This field of research has advanced due to innovations in modern acoustic (sonar) seafloor mapping technologies, allowing seafloor biological and geological characteristics to be mapped at high resolution. The overarching, long-term goal of my research is to advance the science in this emerging field to describe, map, understand and quantify the spatial patterns of marine fauna and habitats at the ocean floor. The program has two research themes. Theme 1 will apply landscape ecology concepts in the study of seafloor ecosystems. It will explore biological connectivity and the role that spatial patterns in seafloor habitat types play in determining distribution of organisms and resulting seafloor biological communities. It will consider two modes of connectivity: 1) movement of mobile organisms across the seafloor; 2) connectivity between spatially separated habitats by larval dispersal through the water column. The research will also study how the spatial complexity of seafloor combined with the functional diversity (e.g. characteristics of the residing organisms such as feeding strategies, body size and behavior) affects the cycling and storage of organic carbon. Research theme 2 will focus on the testing, evaluation, and application of emerging ocean mapping technologies. The pace of technology innovation often outpaces the development of effective data postprocessing and analysis methods, creating barriers to scientific applications of these new mapping tools. Fundamental research will therefore investigate the relationships between acoustic signal and seafloor properties for improved ecosystem mapping capabilities. Anticipated outcomes will offer critical insights into spatial connectivity between habitats, providing direct benefits for fisheries management (e.g. spatial and temporal patterns in fish stocks and links with seafloor ecosystem) and conservation management (e.g. Marine Protected Area network connectivity design). Insights into organic carbon cycling and spatial patterns in the functional diversity of seafloor ecosystems will improve spatial estimates of seafloor carbon budgets for input into regional and global ocean biogeochemical models. Applied research into the application of new seafloor remote sensing tools will support continued economic growth in the Canadian ocean technology sector. Over the next 5 years, this research will provide advanced education and training to graduate and undergraduate students in cutting-edge research using the latest geospatial analysis methods and tools.