Observing the biological gatekeepers of the deep sea and their responses to a changing climate

Marine organisms are the the “gatekeepers” of the deep sea; their behavior and physiology connects surface processes with deep sea ecology and biogeochemistry. Many organisms act as first responders to environmental variation, providing a sensitive indicator of our changing climate. Despite their role in both controlling and responding to changes in ocean biogeochemistry and climate, we still know very little about the basic biology, abundance, and diversity of many key organisms. This talk will highlight some of the promising advances in observing microbes, protists, zooplankton, and larger animals in the ocean across increasing spatial and temporal resolution, as well as some of the major remaining challenges. Observational advances such as underwater imaging and new application of molecular methods shed light on the biological mechanisms that connect the surface with the deep ocean. Major challenges still exist in data processing and integrating these biological measures into information that is useful for modelers across disciplines.