Lina Mtwana Nordlund elected into global expert panel for ocean observation

Lina, you have just been selected to be part of an expert panel that develops the monitoring of our oceans. Can you tell us more?
- Yes, I was selected to be a member of an expert panel that leads, develops and coordinates ocean observing on a global scale.  I am part of the biology and ecosystem panel, one of three expert panels within the Global Ocean Observation System (GOOS), a program led by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (IOC-UNESCO). The other two panels are the biogeochemistry panel and the physics and climate panel, and we collaborate to support GOOS’s goal: to better understand the oceans.

Why are these panels important?
- Life on Earth depends on the oceans. Understanding the status of the oceans and associated species is crucial since it has an enormous impact both on human well-being and our economies. For example, the ocean provides foods and jobs for more than 3 billion people around the world, and the ocean has also managed to sustain a stable climate for the last thousands of years.

The purpose of the panel is to lead and support a community of international, regional and national ocean observing programs, governments, UN agencies, research institutions and individual researchers. Our work supports and suggests for example what, where and when we should measure certain things in the ocean (everything from temperature to microbes and whales) and how to make that data comparable on a global scale. For example, which data is needed in order for the Intergovernmental Panel of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) to make global assessments and draw as accurate conclusions as possible, about the state of our oceans and make future predictions?

How many experts are there and what kind of expertise?
- We are around 25 people in the biology and ecosystem panel. The experts come from all around the world. We have different areas of expertise to be able to cover different types of ecosystems and animal groups, so called Essential Ocean Variables. There are also experts in data management and policy questions.

What is your role?
- I am supporting the development of ocean observations in general, but my focus is on the Essential Ocean Variable Seagrass. Seagrass is a group of ocean plants that form large meadows that are valuable for both humans and nature. Together with Emmett Duffy, I am responsible for developing, coordinating and creating partnerships for improved seagrass monitoring globally. We are developing specification sheets for seagrass monitoring that are developed in collaboration with seagrass scientists and other experts. These sheets produce the basis for what will be measured, how it should be done and how often. The advantage of coordinated monitoring is that we can make global comparisons, learn from each other and develop models and future predictions that can help us plan for the future.   

Will we be able to follow your progress?
- All of the panel´s work is open to the public. We write articles and produce specification sheets, publish our results on the GOOS´ web page and appear in different contexts and arenas that involve ocean monitoring; such as COP15, various UN events, conferences etc.

For more information contact Lina Mtwana Nordlund
Email: lina.mtwana.nordlund@geo.uu.se
Telephone:018-471 8440
Mobile telephone: 070-1679981
See profile page.