Symposium

Title of Session: Symposium on Ocean Biodiversity
Organizer: NOAA, Nathalie Valette-Silver

Session Goals:
The goal of this session is to explore what is known about ocean biodiversity, the changes that have occurred in the past and the causes of these changes, what benefit derived from ocean biodiversity and explore innovative ways that we should pursue to protect the marine environment and insure the full range of ecosystem services.

Speakers:
Theme presentation:
Nathalie Valette-Silver, NOAA

Ocean Biodiversity-The Census of Marine Life:
Patricia Miloslavich, Universidad Simon Bolivar, Venezuela (PowerPoint)

Biodiversity Shifting Baselines-Past and Future:
Nancy Knowlton, Smithsonian Institution and Scripps Institution of Oceanography (PowerPoint)

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function:
Emmett Duffy, Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS)  (PowerPoint)

Causes of Decreasing Ocean Biodiversity:
Jack Sobel (Invited), Ocean Conservancy

Benefit Derived from Ocean Diversity- New products from the sea:
David Newman, National Institutes of Health  (PowerPoint)

Discussion: Innovative ways to prevent further deterioration of marine biodiversity.

Summary:
The symposium will explore what is known about ocean biodiversity, will emphasize the changes that have occurred and the causes of these changes, describe some of the reasons why we want to preserve this biodiversity and ways to maintain, protect and restore ocean biodiversity.