New Global Assessment Reveals Stark Biases in Ocean Biodiversity Data – environment coastal & offshore

Report on Global Marine Biodiversity Data Gaps and Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

A comprehensive study analyzing nearly 19 million records from the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS) has identified significant biases in global marine biodiversity data below 30 meters depth. The findings highlight critical gaps that impact sustainable ocean management and the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14: Life Below Water.

Key Biases in Marine Biodiversity Data

• Predominance of data from shallow waters, with 50% of benthic records originating from the shallowest 1% of the seafloor.
• Geographical bias towards the Northern Hemisphere, accounting for over 75% of records.
• Taxonomic bias favoring vertebrates, especially fish, while invertebrates remain underrepresented.

Study Overview

The study titled “Prioritisation of ocean biodiversity data collection to deliver a sustainable ocean” was led by Dr. Amelia Bridges (University of Plymouth) and Prof. Kerry Howell (Plymouth Marine Laboratory and University of Plymouth). It was published in Nature Communications Earth & Environment.

Missing Biodiversity Data and Its Implications

Significant under-sampling exists in:

• Vast areas of the deep sea, especially in the Southern Hemisphere and Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ).
• Invertebrate taxa, which constitute the majority of ocean biodiversity but are poorly represented in current datasets.

These data gaps undermine efforts to protect marine habitats and accurately model climate impacts, risking skewed scientific models and management plans. This situation challenges the fulfillment of SDG 14, which aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources.

Methodology and Novel Approach

The researchers developed a novel data processing pipeline that distinguishes between benthic (seafloor) and pelagic (open-water) biodiversity data, addressing an often-overlooked distinction. This approach enhances the accuracy and usability of marine biodiversity big data for scientific and policy applications.

Priorities for Future Biodiversity Data Collection

1. Focus on the deep ocean regions deeper than 1,500 meters.
2. Increase sampling efforts in the Southern Hemisphere.
3. Improve representation of invertebrate taxa in biodiversity datasets.
4. Target remote areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) for data collection.

Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

• SDG 14 (Life Below Water): The study supports sustainable ocean management by identifying critical data gaps that must be addressed to conserve marine biodiversity effectively.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): Enhanced biodiversity data improves climate impact models, aiding in climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): The research facilitates collaboration among scientists, policymakers, and conservationists, exemplified by its support for the UN Decade of Ocean Science and the 30×30 biodiversity target.

Expert Commentary

Dr. Amelia Bridges emphasized the importance of comprehensive biodiversity knowledge for sustainable ocean management: “Our findings show just how uneven our knowledge of ocean life really is, and that has major implications for how we protect it. If we want to manage the ocean sustainably, we first need to understand where life exists, and right now, we’re working with an incomplete map.”

Prof. Kerry Howell highlighted the study’s role in guiding global deep-sea research initiatives: “This research will now help guide the work being done under the UN Ocean Decade Challenger 150 Programme, a global cooperative of deep-sea scientists whose aim is to map life in the deep ocean to support sustainable management. We now know where the gaps are and can focus our efforts on filling them. It’s a first step toward building a more balanced, global understanding of marine biodiversity.”

Conclusion

This study represents a significant advancement in transforming marine biodiversity big data into actionable insights. By addressing the identified biases and data gaps, it lays the groundwork for achieving the SDGs related to ocean sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and climate action. The datasets and methodologies developed serve as valuable resources for ongoing and future efforts to protect the world’s oceans.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 14: Life Below Water – The article focuses on marine biodiversity, data gaps in ocean life, and sustainable ocean management, directly relating to the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas, and marine resources.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – Biodiversity data underpin climate impact modeling, which is essential for climate action strategies.
• SDG 15: Life on Land (indirectly) – While the article focuses on marine biodiversity, the emphasis on biodiversity data and ecosystem protection aligns with broader biodiversity conservation goals.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The article mentions global cooperative efforts such as the UN Ocean Decade Challenger 150 Programme, highlighting international collaboration.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 14 Targets:
  • Target 14.2: Sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts.
  • Target 14.5: Conserve at least 10% of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law (related to the 30×30 biodiversity target mentioned).
  • Target 14.a: Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology to improve ocean health.
• SDG 13 Target:
  • Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning (linked to improved biodiversity data for climate impact modeling).
• SDG 17 Target:
  • Target 17.16: Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicators related to SDG 14:
  • Proportion of marine areas protected (linked to Target 14.5 and the 30×30 biodiversity target).
  • Number and quality of marine biodiversity records/data collected, especially from under-sampled areas such as deep ocean, southern hemisphere, and Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ).
  • Representation of different taxa in biodiversity databases (e.g., vertebrates vs. invertebrates).
  • Extent of data coverage in the deep ocean (>1,500 m) and remote areas.
• Indicators related to SDG 13:
  • Use of biodiversity data in climate impact models (implied).
  • Capacity building and research outputs related to ocean science and climate action.
• Indicators related to SDG 17:
  • Number and effectiveness of international collaborations and partnerships (e.g., UN Ocean Decade Challenger 150 Programme).
  • Availability and accessibility of shared datasets and research tools.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: ecomagazine.com