Classifying Biotic Responses to a Rapidly Changing Ocean: From Genes to Ecosystems

The term Ocean Global Change Biology encapsulates climate-change mediated shifts in a wide range of oceanic conditions, the rate and magnitude of which will likely lead to altered physiological performance and changes in ecosystem status for biota in all oceanic regions.

This meeting will build on the inaugural 2014 Gordon Research Conference, which explored the "Interactive Effects of Multiple Global Change Variables", by providing a thematic framework to categorize the myriad different responses of marine organisms to ocean global change. Such a framework is needed to map the current boundaries of our understanding of this fledgling research field. Together, a wide range of ocean observations, modelling simulations and the findings from manipulation experiments reveal diverse responses to ocean global change. The responses extend from no change to pronounced detrimental or beneficial effects on marine life, regardless of whether they are microbes or apex predators. Organismal responses manifest themselves in many different ways – from physiological acclimation to microevolution – and collectively provide insights into foodweb responses to complex changes in oceanic conditions.

Nine thematic sessions will build a comprehensive picture of the progress made to date and the challenges that lie ahead. This GRC will develop the map needed to enable this research community to prioritize mid-term foci needed to meet longer term scientific goals.