1. NaGISA Habitat specific, quantitative survey of the world’s nearshore environment Producing a baseline from which: -scientists can work -monitoring can move forward -the public can become engaged - stake holders can benefit M. Sayer 2008

2. Preliminary Synthesis Conclusions Existing paradigms of biodiversity trends do not always apply to nearshore taxa Existing Paradigm: Higher diversity typically occurs at lower latitudes (Thorson 1950s, Gray 2000s, Witman 2004, others) Example of NaGISA’s findings: ►Intertidal macroalgal diversity is higher at higher latitudes (Konar et al 2009)

3. Diversity New species: How Many Near Shore Species? 1/6 of the known marine species are nearshore (O`Dor et al 2003) Currently ~170,000 species are known with models projecting the presence of 1,700,000+ species (M. Costello and Y. Shirayama pers. com.) M.K. Hoberg 2007 Golden V Kelp To date 1,880 named taxa from 36 phyla have been cataloged by NaGISA Cumella oculatus provisional adult male ovigerous female Cumella alaskensis provisional ovigerous female S. Gerken 2009 Descriptions submitted to Zootaxa 21 January 2009

4. Distribution Major Discoveries: Habitat range extensions Rhodolith (nearshore coralline algae) beds are nursery grounds for many commercial species - The NaGISA effort discovered the first rhodolith bed in Alaska - Scientific results may be used for conservation implementation (fishing, recreational boating) Discoveries to Come: Processes that drive species distributions

5. Abundance Abundance varies by location Questions to be asked: Are there latitudinal or longitudinal trends of abundance for select taxa? LocationNo. IndividualsNo. Taxa Punta Tigrillo, Mochima National Park, Venezuela 132766 Taklong Island, Philippines 6641162 Cobscook Bay, Gulf of Maine, USA >19,000340 Montague Island, Prince William Sound, Alaska, USA 37,021274 For example:

6. Biomass Biomass varies by latitude Intertidal macroalgal biomass appears to increase with latitude (Konar et al 2009) Argentina Alaska USA Questions to be asked: Are there latitudinal or longitudinal trends of biomass for other select taxa? For example:

7. Visualization & Communication Determining nearshore biodiversity Getting communities involved Informing the public

8. Assessing effectiveness of MPA’s (Venezuela) Incorporation of NaGISA protocols in long-term monitoring efforts: Monitoring 1000 (Japan) Department of Fisheries and Oceans (Canada) University coursework (Venezuela, USA) Assessing ecosystem vulnerability to oil or mineral extraction (USA) Societal Impact of Results to Date

9. Limits to Knowledge Wish list for new technologies: Method of determining species lists from homogenized samples Searchable image database of nearshore species (image recognition) Current limits to nearshore biodiversity: Resources (time, financial, taxonomic) for identifying species M. Sayer 2008