SEMINARIO

RELATORE: Jiasong Fang, Distinguished Professor, College of Oceanography and Ecological Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China

TITOLO: DOME, the Ocean’s Powerhouse of Dark Matter and  Processes

Microorganisms are engines of the living ocean that instigate important biological and ecological functions in the ocean. The deep ocean is the oldest and largest biome on Earth, yet we have little knowledge of the microbiomes, ecosystems, and processes  in these dark depths. Here I present DOME3⁄4Deep Ocean Microbiomes and Ecosystems, a United Nations Ocean Decade programme. DOME brings together scientists around the globe, to systematically sample the deep realms of the oceans, map biodiversity, biogeography, biodynamics, and determine deep ocean-climate nexus. The knowledge and information generated will provide the critical understanding of ocean microbiomes and ecosystems needed for sustainable development, help protect and restore the deep ocean ecosystems and biodiversity,

and unlock ocean-based solutions to climate change. Ultimately, the goal is to build an inclusive, high resolution, and continuous record of deep ocean metadata repository with research data, analysis and interpretation that will be used to model the dynamics of broad-scale deep ocean microbiomes and ecosystems, and track and predict future biodiversity and ecosystem changes under climate change. Furthermore, DOME will contribute to generating more science and building more capacity to utilize science.