Thursday, 26 August 2010, 11:30 AM (AAD Theatrette)

Martin Solan; Oceanlab, University of Aberdeen [Presentation PDF]

Australian National Network in Marine Science visiting scholar for 2010

a) Bioturbation intensity as an ecosystem process: the elephant in the dark and reconciling contrarieties with imaging

The importance of bioturbation in mediating biogeochemical processes in the upper centimetres of oceanic sediments provides a compelling reason for wanting to quantify in situ rates of bioturbation. Previously influential methodology has relied on the recovery of tracers from incubations with known species assemblages, yet tracer recovery is often performed at temporal (days) and spatial (cm) scales that poorly relate to the scales (um and s) at which bioturbation occurs and which violate the theoretical assumptions of applied mathematical models. In this talk I will summarise current concepts of benthic bioturbation based on the global dataset before demonstrating, through example, how the use of imaging technology is leading to novel ways of analysing and understanding of benthic processes. I will close by offering my perspective on the future of the discipline and by suggesting where significant advances in bioturbation research can be made.

b) On the contribution of benthic biodiversity to ecosystem process and functioning

Current and projected rates of extinction provide impetus to investigate the consequences of biodiversity loss for ecosystem processes. Here, I will present findings from a series of manipulative experiments using benthic macrofaunal invertebrates that seek to determine the relative role of benthic biodiversity in determining ecosystem process and function.

For those interested, this seminar will be followed by lunch and an afternoon workshop with Martin Solan. For RSVP and further details please contact Graeme Ewing (GraemeEwing@aad.gov.au, 6232 3117).