Project Leaders Derek TittensorDerek Tittensor Edward Vanden BergheEdward Vanden Berghe Pat HalpinPat Halpin Boris WormBoris Worm Numerous other importantNumerous other important contributors contributors Main contact: Derek Tittensor Global species richness: estimating hotspots and total extent of biodiversity in the oceans

1) Estimates of marine species richness by taxa 2) Synthesis of patterns of cross-taxa global marine diversity Major hypotheses / objectives

1)Statistical estimators using species discovery curves 2)Compilation, standardization, and modelling of global diversity data Scope of analyses As broad as possible, given data limitations Key Approaches

PLEASE STOP DISCOVERING NEW SPECIES (you are making my life very difficult)

For each taxonomic group Quantify ‘lack of knowledge’ Discovery curve approach inapplicable - alternatives? Estimates of numbers of unknown species Do species discovery curves yield to statistical analysis? Do species discovery curves yield to statistical analysis? Yes Yes No No SPECIES RICHNESS ESTIMATION Is there a ‘Taxonomic Impediment’? Is there a ‘Taxonomic Impediment’?

Planned timelines Meetings: (1)Teleconferencing and videoconferencing (2) Late summer writing workshop in Nova Scotia Drafts: Deadline - August 2009 Submission: Deadline - December 2009 Synergy with SYNDEEP & other projects

Planned Outputs Target Journals To be optimized given results Working titles of papers: 1) ‘Estimates and inestimables of global marine species richness’ 2) ‘Patterns, processes, and scaling of cross-taxa global marine diversity’

Planned Outputs Other outputs R toolbox for extrapolating from species discovery curves (e.g. will be implemented on OBIS to provide live’ updates of species richness estimates).