1 Genomics in the Discovery and Monitoring
21
sensitivity problems associated with microarray platforms (Kochzius et al. 2008)
and the influence of larval developmental on detection and optimisation of PCR
with low quantities of target DNA (Patil et al. 2005). Morphological data therefore, remain the cornerstone of larval ecological studies (Minagawa et al. 2004,
Richardson and Cowen 2004, Shanks and Brinks 2005). Future priorities should
incorporate a more integrative approach, allying morphological, ecological and
molecular data, in an attempt to understand the complexity and dynamics of marine
life cycles (Will and Rubinoff 2004, Janzen et al. 2005, Dasmahapatra and Mallet
2006).
1.3 Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function
1.3.1 Microbes in Novel Environments
Recent studies of microbial diversity have produced vast discoveries of previously unknown microorganisms, many of which have major impacts on oceanic
processes. Deep-sea hydrothermal vents and cold seeps, for example, contain thriving chemosynthetic microbial communities; oceanic midwaters contain abundant
Archaea. Large populations of picoplankton are the primary drivers for carbon
fixation and for nitrogen recycling. Fundamental information about selection and
evolution in the microbial world can be obtained if we can sample the global
marine microbial genome. A full census of marine microorganisms and thus a
complete list of metabolic processes is possible to achieve with intensive sampling (Scherer-Lorenzen 2005). Within all habitats, changing diversity has profound
effects on biomass production, nutrient recycling, and ecosystem stability (Hughes
et al. 2006). Higher biodiversity (genetic diversity) can afford a degree of ecological
insurance against ecological uncertainty (Hughes et al. 2006).
1.3.2 Microbial Links in Ecosystem Processes
Knowing what “kinds” of organisms exist within populations and how the community structure changes in response to environmental changes is the only way
to understand how biological systems force ocean function. Sophisticated measurements of microbial and metabolic diversity and how this diversity is linked
to biogeochemical and physical processes is required to explore the dynamics of
population biology, genome diversity and the metabolic basis of biogeochemical
processes, especially at the microbial level where most of the unknown diversity
lies. Scientists from all disciplines must interact to produce a predictive modelling
framework to understand the interaction between members of complex microbial
consortia and ocean biogeochemistry. Such predictions will challenge even the most
advanced genetic technology and evolutionary theory because the evolution and
diversity of the marine ecosystem is vastly different from terrestrial ones upon which
21
sensitivity problems associated with microarray platforms (Kochzius et al. 2008)
and the influence of larval developmental on detection and optimisation of PCR
with low quantities of target DNA (Patil et al. 2005). Morphological data therefore, remain the cornerstone of larval ecological studies (Minagawa et al. 2004,
Richardson and Cowen 2004, Shanks and Brinks 2005). Future priorities should
incorporate a more integrative approach, allying morphological, ecological and
molecular data, in an attempt to understand the complexity and dynamics of marine
life cycles (Will and Rubinoff 2004, Janzen et al. 2005, Dasmahapatra and Mallet
2006).
1.3 Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function
1.3.1 Microbes in Novel Environments
Recent studies of microbial diversity have produced vast discoveries of previously unknown microorganisms, many of which have major impacts on oceanic
processes. Deep-sea hydrothermal vents and cold seeps, for example, contain thriving chemosynthetic microbial communities; oceanic midwaters contain abundant
Archaea. Large populations of picoplankton are the primary drivers for carbon
fixation and for nitrogen recycling. Fundamental information about selection and
evolution in the microbial world can be obtained if we can sample the global
marine microbial genome. A full census of marine microorganisms and thus a
complete list of metabolic processes is possible to achieve with intensive sampling (Scherer-Lorenzen 2005). Within all habitats, changing diversity has profound
effects on biomass production, nutrient recycling, and ecosystem stability (Hughes
et al. 2006). Higher biodiversity (genetic diversity) can afford a degree of ecological
insurance against ecological uncertainty (Hughes et al. 2006).
1.3.2 Microbial Links in Ecosystem Processes
Knowing what “kinds” of organisms exist within populations and how the community structure changes in response to environmental changes is the only way
to understand how biological systems force ocean function. Sophisticated measurements of microbial and metabolic diversity and how this diversity is linked
to biogeochemical and physical processes is required to explore the dynamics of
population biology, genome diversity and the metabolic basis of biogeochemical
processes, especially at the microbial level where most of the unknown diversity
lies. Scientists from all disciplines must interact to produce a predictive modelling
framework to understand the interaction between members of complex microbial
consortia and ocean biogeochemistry. Such predictions will challenge even the most
advanced genetic technology and evolutionary theory because the evolution and
diversity of the marine ecosystem is vastly different from terrestrial ones upon which