The most precise estimate of Earth's species total is based on a novel analytical technique that narrows previous estimates. The study predicts approximately 8.7 million species, with 91% of marine and 86% of land species remaining undiscovered. This new understanding is crucial for conservation efforts and ecosystems services.
The Census of Marine Life project has identified human activities affecting deep-sea habitats, including waste dumping, resource exploitation, and climate change. The study predicts that these impacts will lead to biodiversity loss and ecosystem disruption in the short and mid-term.
The Scientific Steering Committee of the Census of Marine Life was awarded the 2011 International Cosmos Prize for its groundbreaking research on marine biodiversity, distribution, and abundance. The prize recognized the Committee's comprehensive approach to understanding relationships among living organisms and their global environment.
A decade-long study of Pacific Ocean predators reveals the California Current as a vital habitat with predictable seasonal patterns, attracting an array of marine life. The study shows that many species return to specific regions with astonishing fidelity, using internal cues to navigate.
The Census of Marine Life has published a historic roll call of species in 25 biologically representative regions, revealing the most diverse marine ecosystems. The study found that Australian and Japanese waters are home to over 33,000 species, with mollusks and crustaceans making up half of all known species.
Researchers found diverse marine life on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, including a missing evolutionary link between backboned and invertebrate animals. The team discovered three new species with different colors and shapes, as well as sea cucumbers with unique swimming abilities.
Historians from Census of Marine Life reconstructed ocean life in olden days, revealing past sea life was teeming with over 27,000 southern right whales around New Zealand. The findings are causing authorities to revisit marine baselines and provide a new context for contemporary ocean management.
The new SemountsOnline portal offers improved management of seamount resources and conservation of seamount habitat through its expanded spatial searching tools. Researchers and managers can now access a vast amount of data on seamount biological communities, facilitating a greater understanding of seamount ecosystems.
The First World Conference on Marine Biodiversity has reported a rapid northern migration of invasive marine species, spreading at 50 km per decade. This is significantly faster than terrestrial plants and may be due to the rapid dispersion of macroalgae propagules in the ocean.
The Census of Marine Life has made significant progress towards its goal, with new discoveries including Antarctic ancestry of many octopus species and behemoth bacteria. The report details major advances in technology, knowledge organization, and measurement of human impact on ocean life.
Researchers successfully tracked juvenile Pacific salmon from their release in freshwater to distant ocean destinations, providing insights into their life experience and decline. The study also found that survival rates were comparable between dammed and un-dammed rivers.
Over 8,000 scientists support creating marine protected areas for endangered Pacific leatherback sea turtles and hammerhead sharks. The International Union for Conservation of Nature's resolution aims to safeguard the critically endangered species from industrial fisheries by identifying and protecting their migratory routes.
Scientists studying ancient fish bones in Scandinavia have discovered that warm-water species like anchovies and black sea bream are returning to Danish waters as temperatures rise. This finding suggests that sustainable cod populations can be maintained in the North Sea even during climate change, but with reduced fishing pressure.
A global ocean observing system is crucial to measure the health of our oceans and respond to climate change. The Partnership for Observation of the Global Oceans urges completion of a comprehensive system within 10 years.
An international research team has discovered a new species of Ostracod in the North Atlantic Ocean, while exploring the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The team used advanced technology to capture stunning images and specimens, shedding light on life in this remote deep-sea environment.
Historians detail a burst of fishing from 1900 to 1950 that preceded the decline of bluefin tuna populations in the North Atlantic. The research suggests high fishing pressure played a key role in the species' disappearance.
A team of scientists has observed bizarre deep-sea communities living around methane seeps off New Zealand's east coast, including tube worms, shell beds, and coral. The expedition discovered four types of chemosynthetic habitats in close proximity, providing valuable insights into the distribution patterns of biological life.
The Polarstern ship will conduct the first major biological research in an uncharted area of the Antarctic Peninsula, studying living communities from microbes to whales. The expedition aims to understand the impact of global warming on ice shelves and sea level rise.
A three-week expedition to French Frigate Shoals discovered many new species of crabs, corals, sea cucumbers, and other organisms. The expedition's findings provide a better understanding of marine biodiversity in the Hawaiian Archipelago.
A team of world-renowned scientists is conducting a 23-day research cruise to explore coral reef biodiversity in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument. The census aims to provide baseline information on the diversity, distribution, and abundance of ocean life, with a focus on lesser-known species.
Scientists discover 20,000+ kinds of rare bacteria in 1 liter of seawater using new DNA sequencing tools, challenging previous estimates of marine microbial diversity. The 'rare biosphere' plays an important role in ecological processes and evolutionary history.
On a landmark 20-day Atlantic cruise, scientists cataloged 500 species of tiny zooplankton, including new discoveries. The expedition, part of the Census of Marine Life initiative, aimed to illuminate these essential life forms in the ocean's lower layers.
Marine scientists are investigating the world's coral reefs to assess biodiversity, identify species, and predict reef collapse. The CReefs project aims to answer key questions about reef dynamics, species survival, and conservation strategies.
Research estimates cod biomass on the Scotian Shelf was 1.26 million metric tons in 1852, compared to less than 50,000 metric tons today. The decline is consistent with earlier research and suggests that commercially important species biomass is only a small fraction of what existed before industrialized exploitation.
Experts are conducting a comprehensive census of marine life in the Arctic Ocean, which is experiencing rapid changes due to melting ice caps. The project aims to record and inventory biodiversity in the three main layers of the water column and study the effects of climate change on aquatic life.