This proposal requests support to build on the foundations laid by the present national marine sanctuary (fknms) demonstration marine biodiversity observation network (mbon). Specifically, we seek…

The University of South Florida (USF) received a $299,864 grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to build on the existing National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) Demonstration Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON). The grant aims to integrate ground and satellite observations related to biodiversity to inform ecosystem-based management, supporting regional NOAA programs like the Integrated Ecosystem Assessment (IEA), the National Marine Fisheries Southeast Fisheries Science Center, the FKNMS, Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. The grant has an ultimate completion date of October 9, 2025 and does not have a set-aside designation.

This proposal requests support to build on the foundations laid by the present national marine sanctuary (fknms) demonstration marine biodiversity observation network (mbon). Specifically, we seek to integrate ground and satellite observations related to biodiversity to inform ecosystem-based management. This includes supporting the regional NOAA integrated ecosystem assessment (IEA), the national marine fisheries southeast fisheries science center, the fknms, rookery BAY national estuarine research reserve (nerr), and the state of florida fish and wildlife commission (FWC) as specific end users of an mbon. The objectives are to 1) further integrate and synthesize information from ongoing monitoring programs through the integrated ocean observing system (ioos) 2) refine details for practical marine essential biodiversity variables (ebvs) and essential ocean variables (eovs) this includes a) advancing understanding of time-varying marine biogeography using seascapes b) integrating traditional and new technologies to assess animal movement and ambient sounds to understand distribution of organisms and biodiversity hotspots and c) biodiversity assessments through emerging molecular methods. 3) integrate biodiversity measurements in a relational database. 4) establish a protocol for mbon information to dynamically update sanctuary condition reports, nerr assessments, IEA, and FWC resource management needs and 5) serve as mbon team leader to link and coordinate national mbon efforts, and support and coordinate with international programs (group on earth observations/ GEO BON, mbon, blue planet, and the international oceanographic commission/IOC: the global ocean observing system/goos, the ocean biogeographic information system/obis, the ocean best practices system/obps, and others). We will further advance the transition of the mbon to operations in partnership with NOAA and the ioos program. Aspects related to potential effects on navy operations will addressed. Specifically, we will work with the program management team and the animal telemetry network (ATN) to document seasonal and other hotspots of animal accumulations. This mbon effort is structured to assess ecosystem integrity, advance protection of marine resources, and promote conservation.