New studies emphasize the advantages of blending long-established plankton monitoring systems with new technologies to better assess the health of our oceans.
According to the authors of this recent research, advancements in technology—including microscopic imaging and molecular methods—are poised to enhance our understanding of the global ocean’s well-being.
Nonetheless, these new methods should complement rather than replace existing long-term plankton monitoring efforts, which play a crucial role in observing the shifts in our seas due to climate change. They are vital for meeting international legal requirements for marine biodiversity assessments.
In their publication in the journal Ocean and Coastal Management, the researchers indicate that innovative techniques can indeed make the collection and analysis of specific plankton data more efficient compared to traditional approaches.
These techniques can also address knowledge gaps and create a fuller understanding of plankton behavior, which has led to suggestions that they could serve as alternatives to current monitoring practices.
However, the researchers highlight that both traditional and modern methods come with unique benefits and drawbacks, and their implementation in marine management and scientific research should be seen as complementary.
Thus, they advocate for more effective integration of old and new programs while emphasizing the need to preserve specialized taxonomic skills necessary for accurately evaluating plankton species and diversity.
This research was conducted by some of Europe’s foremost plankton science experts from universities and governmental agencies in the UK, France, Sweden, and the Netherlands.
Many of these experts have been actively involved in long-term monitoring efforts which have spanned over sixty years, as well as in the development of new monitoring technologies and advising on ocean management.
Dr. Matthew Holland, a Research Fellow at the University of Plymouth and the lead author of the study, remarked: “Plankton are fundamental to the entire marine food chain and produce a significant portion of the oxygen we utilize. Therefore, we must gather as much information as possible to recognize changes in plankton populations and their potential effects on commercial fisheries, seabird populations, and the overall health of our planet. Exciting new technologies are emerging to assist with this—yet current monitoring has provided invaluable insights over the past sixty years and remains essential for tracking long-term ocean health changes.”
This new study is being published at a time when interest in plankton is on the rise globally.
In September 2024, the Ocean Stewardship Coalition—part of the UN Global Compact—introduced a global Plankton Manifesto to underline the indispensable role of plankton in tackling the interconnected crises of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.
Dr. Abigail McQuatters-Gollop, Associate Professor of Marine Conservation at the University of Plymouth and a key contributor to the Plankton Manifesto, is a senior author of the new study. She noted: “Plankton data are crucial for comprehending changes in our oceans. The emerging technologies for monitoring plankton are promising, but it is essential that they are combined with traditional methods, many of which use straightforward netting techniques that have been in practice for over a century. This requires individuals with significant expertise in plankton science and research. Only by merging the human element with these monitoring methods can we fully grasp the implications of plankton changes for marine ecosystems.”
