Globally Consistent Quantitative Observations of Planktonic Ecosystems

Fabien Lombard, Emmanuel Boss, Anya M. Waite, Meike Vogt, Julia Uitz, Lars Stemmann, Heidi M. Sosik, Jan Schulz, Jean-Baptiste Romagnan, Marc Picheral, Jay Pearlman, Mark D. Ohman (+29 others)
2019 Frontiers in Marine Science  
In this paper we review the technologies available to make globally quantitative observations of particles in general-and plankton in particular-in the world oceans, and for sizes varying from sub-microns to centimeters. Some of these technologies have been available for years while others have only recently emerged. Use of these technologies is critical to improve understanding of the processes that control abundances, distributions and composition of plankton, provide data necessary to
more » ... in and improve ecosystem and biogeochemical models, and forecast changes in marine ecosystems in light of climate change. In this paper we begin by providing the motivation for plankton observations, quantification and diversity qualification on a global scale. We then expand on the state-of-the-art, detailing a variety of relevant and (mostly) mature technologies and measurements, including bulk measurements of plankton, pigment composition, uses of genomic, optical and acoustical methods as well
doi:10.3389/fmars.2019.00196 fatcat:ygrsqx5njfhktfzspogae4ye24