The fundamental role of ecology in marine biodiversity conservation.

Abstract

“Biodiversity” refers to the incredible variety in the form and function of organisms that make up and sustain life on earth. Over the last century however, humans have caused rapid ecosystem change and massive biodiversity loss across the planet. To reverse course, we need a better understanding of how species interactions shape biodiversity. In this seminar, I will discuss the mechanisms that promote, maintain, and/or degrade biodiversity at various scales. Starting with a detailed study of nutritional exchange between corals and their genetically diverse microbial symbionts, to how regional patterns in biodiversity affect function at the ecosystem level, and what the genome can tell us about biodiversity hotspots of the future. As we enter this unprecedented era of human impacts on the earth’s systems, it is imperative that we prioritize the conservation and management of biodiverse systems and the services they provide.