Imaging Technology and Deep Sea Plankton
My group focuses on using novel imaging systems to observe organisms and study ecosystem functioning in the ocean.
Major topics include the variability of plankton biomass, species diversity and food-web structure across the water column, as well as the role of vertically migrating animals in transporting energy and carbon from the surface to the deep ocean.
To address these questions, we develop new technologies, such as the PIScO and ProPel in situ imaging systems, and use them in ship expeditions to study a wide range of zooplankton and other pelagic animals. These tools allow us to collect a detailed picture of biodiversity and food-web structure across the entire ocean water column (“who is where at which time, and what are they doing”).
We also use and develop artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) tools to process and analyze the large amounts of image data, e.g. for automated taxonomic classification, but also for improved data inter-comparability of the variety of plankton imaging systems.
Project Overview
Research Areas
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SEA-THROUGH
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Deep Sea Plankton Ecology and Biogeochemistry
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Biological carbon pump & its sensitivity to climate change
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Past research highlights
