PEGASuS: Designing the observing system for the world’s ocean from microbes to whales

A globally coordinated and sustained ocean observing system is urgently needed to systematically assess the status of the ocean's biodiversity and ecosystems and how these are responding to increasing resource use, including coastal development under the range of long-term climate change scenarios. A set of measurable biological characteristics or “biological essential ocean variables" have been identified by experts to aid global understanding of these responses and how they may provide the data that addresses policy seeking to manage or mitigate adverse impacts. NCEAS scientists will design a monitoring network based on the biological essential ocean variables that is sufficient to answer scientific questions on identified high priority global phenomena and respond to calls from global policy makers and managers for guidance. Through mapping the current spatial extent of observations for these essential variables, from microbes to whales and through coastal ecosystems to the deep sea, the scientists will identify how to capitalize on what is already being achieved and what remains to be done to develop a globally coordinated and sustained ocean observing system. Results will become part of the blueprint for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainability that aims to provide the science to help achieve Agenda 2030 and other critical international agreements and platforms that are related to climate change, biodiversity, and ecosystem services.