Amplifying global cooperative in situ biodiversity data through remote sensing

Today, the only way we can observe the surface ocean state on a daily basis is via remote sensing by satellites. These sensors have revolutionized our understanding of ocean biology, biophysics and biochemistry, and much of their data is available, free of charge, to all. However, the biological information content of signals measured from space is very limited, and further, the signals are not necessarily what we are interested in. For example, we measure spectral radiance (e.g. the color of the ocean) in order to help us learn about the underlying phytoplankton diversity in the ocean. In order to maximize the synergy between spaced-based measurements and in-situ measures of highly complex plankton communities (typically thousands to tens of thousands of species covering the whole tree of life at any given place), and develop relevant algorithms that could learn and interpolate to where and when we do not have in-situ data, it is critical that we collect consistent in-situ biodiversity data representing as many realizations of ocean ecology as possible, i.e. at different locations and seasons. Unfortunately the current academic fleet, with too few, too expensive, and not flexible enough vessels, cannot provide such data . In the ‘Plankton Planet’ initiative, we propose thus to equip vessels of opportunity, from sailing boats to cargo ships, with a new generation of cost-effective and handy instruments and protocols, allowing many independent ‘seatizens’ to rapidly assemble together critical global in situ biodiversity samples and data matching up signals measured from space. This distributed and agile ‘matching up’ strategy will unlock the generation of new algorithms capable of monitoring and forecasting ocean biodiversity and health from space.