AUSTRALIA—GERMANY WORKSHOP ON BIODIVERSITY

The Shine Dome, 13-17 March 2006

Latitudinal biodiversity gradients in deep water around Australia
by Dr Michael Türkay, Senckenberg Research Institute, Frankfurt

Biodiversity gradients related to maritime climate, from tropical to temperate conditions, can be ideally studied along the Australian coast. Such a huge endeavour needs an international and multidisciplinary approach. The Zoological Catalogue of Australia, launched recently by the CSIRO, already contains many items that can serve as a backbone for such a study. It is evident that there is a lack of knowledge about the deepwater and deep-sea fauna around Australia. In the framework of such a project, funds could be allocated towards the use of advanced ship technology in both countries in order to compare latitudinal gradients in different depths. Latitudinal biodiversity gradients can, if they are correlated to maritime climate, serve as indicator systems for climate change and its environmental effects. A monitoring scheme could be designed based on this detailed knowledge. Australia and Germany have the necessary taxonomic infrastructure (museums and manpower) to tackle such an ambitious approach. We would advocate using this endeavour for training undergraduate and graduate students in order to build the expertise for tomorrow.