Scientific criteria for conservation and sustainable usage of marine biodiversity in Canada´s oceans

The Canadian Healthy Oceans Network is a new national marine science initiative that is uniting researchers to provide scientific guidelines for policy in conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity resources in Canada´s three oceans. Theme Marine Biodiversity is addressing how patterns of biological biodiversity are related to habitat diversity. Specifically, we are testing hypotheses that link functional (ecological roles of different species) and species biodiversity to habitat complexity. Theme Ecosystem Function is determining how ecosystem function (processes such as nutrient cycling) and health (whether ecosystems are able to maintain these processes) are linked to biodiversity and natural and anthropogenic disturbances. Specifically we aim to understand the role of biodiversity in marine ecosystem services (the ldquogoodsrdquo provided to humans by living organisms) by linking biodiversity and ecosystem function measures, and provide predictive models and tools to minimize anthropogenic impacts. Theme Population Connectivity is addressing how dispersal of marine organisms, typically by early life stages such as eggs and larvae, influences patterns of diversity, resilience, and source/sink dynamics (recruitment ldquohotspotsrdquo versus poor areas for new individuals) of species and biological communities. Specific goals are to evaluate the role of larval dispersal in regional source-sink species dynamics using existing management areas (e.g. marine protected areas) as model systems and compare different metrics of larval dispersal to estimate metapopulation (interlinked populations) connectivity. We will synthesize the outcomes of each of these themes across the Network to identify approaches to bridge science and policy.