Ocean Biogeographic Information System Edward Vanden Berghe

‘Mission’ OBIS publishes primary data on marine species locations online through –It facilitates data discovery and exploration by Searching by species, higher taxa, time, location, depth, data set Mapping observed occurrences Modelling of potential environmental range –Integrates data over marine themes Microbes to whales Genetics and morphology Poles to equator… –Enables data capture for re-use

OBIS in context Data integration component of CoML –Capturing and integrating data –Support the 2010 synthesis Marine component of GBIF –Fully inter-operable with GBIF standards –Extending with marine-specific elements Marine component of Species 2000 –World register of Marine Species (WoRMS) – Partner with FAO, UNEP (WCMC) Part of IOC/IODE Hosted by Rutgers University IMCS Funded by Sloan Foundation

OBIS functions More than a database, is a community of practice –Seeks out new datasets –Develops standards for data exchange and management –Develops software tools for online use Data system very visible product of community –Caches species distribution data from many databases –Creates taxonomic and geographic indices –Makes all data freely accessible online

Distribution of cod, Gadus morhua, shown as ‘c- squares’ map

Predicting distribution of invasive species, Pterois volitans

OBIS records viewed

OBIS number of records >700 datasets 21 million distribution records 147,000 names, 104,000 taxa Among the largest provider to GBIF Who’s providing data? –Regional OBIS Nodes –Census of Marine Life

Map of CoML field projects

CoML & Ocean Observing An example of how CoML technologies can be implemented in earth and ocean observing systems 7 seals tracked during 2-3 month summer feeding migrations Some animals dive 1000m

Location of RONs

Role of the regional nodes Ensuring true global cover for OBIS –Better serving local/regional needs Regional nodes are closer to the providers of the data –Local visibility for global OBIS data –Mobilise data from region –Technical assistance, also with standardisation –Specialised information products and services Data available on the regional network are also available on the global network –Increased global visibility for local data and data providers –Data sharing

RONs in CarSA Tropical and subtropical Western Atlantic –Fabio Lang da Silveira –Brazil, University of Sao Paulo Argentina (also very active in Antarctica) –Argentina, Centro Nacional Patagónico –Mirtha Lewis South-East Pacific –Chile, FONDAP COPAS –Ruben Escribano Active groups in Venezuela and Columbia Preliminary discussions in Mexico (UNAM)

Still a lot of work… We don’t know the total biodiversity –New species are discovered Selective sampling in geography –Mostly in surface waters –Temperate zones Selective sampling in taxonomy –Mostly big things, vertebrates

New species are discovered Data from

Geographical bias

Bias in depth: deeper than 2500m

Taxonomic bias Taxon# species# in OBIS% Cetaceans Seals… Fish Echinoderms Decapods Bryozoans

Analysis of OBIS data First attempts at diversity pattern on a global scale, with a large number of taxa –Previously either local or on one taxon (e.g. commercial large fish like tuna, forams…) –‘Safety in numbers’ Results not affected by idiosyncrasies of single taxon or study Results very preliminary, and need data cleaning and further checking –E.g. by artificially removing datasets from analysis

Species richness: ES(50)

Marine fish to be discovered Mora et al (2007). The completeness of taxonomic inventories for describing the global diversity and distribution of marine fishes. Proc. R. Soc. B, published on line Percentage completeness 1 100

Collaboration? Forging links between RONs and NODCs Assisting RONs with data mobilisation –Government agencies Marine Atlas –Biodiversity component –Creation of local portals integrating physical oceanography and biodiversity

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