Canada Ocean Lecture Series:

Marine Biodiversity and the Health of Canada's Oceans

A free public talk and discussion, presented by Dr. Paul Snelgrove, Research Professor, Ocean Sciences and Biology, Memorial University, St. John’s, NL

Moderator: Dr. Arne Mooers, Professor, Biological Sciences, SFU

Abstract: Oceans encompass more than 95 per cent of Earth’s biosphere, and their massive volume and remoteness ensure we will not fully quantify their biodiversity in our lifetimes. Human pressures on the ocean will almost certainly increase in the future, yet we have little understanding of the role that different species play in maintaining ocean health. Although charismatic and commercial species have attracted public concern, few consider the many other species that inhabit ocean environments and help to support us and the species we care about.

Dr. Snelgrove will discuss the new tools and approaches that have revolutionized ocean sciences in the last decade, documenting new species, new environments, and new processes that create unprecedented opportunities to improve ocean sustainability.

Bio: Since 2008, Dr. Snelgrove has been the director of the NSERC Canadian Healthy Oceans Network, a national research network in Canada that has already trained some 100 students working in all three of Canada’s oceans to develop new tools and approaches to support sustainable oceans. Dr. Snelgrove is frequently call upon as an expert speaker, panelist, and reviewer in Canada, US and Europe.

For more information:

http://www.sfu.ca/coastal/research-series/listing/canada-ocean-lectures.html