Biogeochemical Modelling and Remote Sensing of Ocean Carbon and Biodiversity

The ocean plays a vital role in regulating Earth's climate and supporting life below water. Satellite remote sensing technology can now routinely provide vital data on the state of the oceans, while advanced mathematical modelling approaches can harness these data to provide a deeper understanding of how biogeochemical processes operate in the marine environment.

This talk will introduce how satellite observations and advanced models can be used to monitor marine ecosystems from space. Tiny marine plants called phytoplankton form the foundation of ocean food webs, absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and help regulate the ocean's natural carbon cycle. Through examples drawn from recent research, the talk will demonstrate how satellite remote sensing can reveal changes in ocean carbon, phytoplankton biomass, and diversity from space.

The talk will also explore how combining satellite data with biogeochemical models improves our ability to understand and predict marine ecosystem dynamics, including harmful algal blooms that can threaten fisheries, aquaculture, and coastal communities, and how these tools contribute to global efforts to understand, manage, and protect our changing oceans.

The talk will be followed by the Society's Annual General Meeting, which will be followed by refreshments.