Tom Iwanicki
Protecting high seas biodiversity through a visual ecological lens
Abstract
The ocean surface is a massive, biodiverse, and often overlooked habitat at the frontline of human impacts, notably marine debris and plastic, and a mechanistic understanding of light and vision at the surface is critical for conservation strategies. Very little is known about the visual ecology at the air-sea interface and how animals use light and vision to find mates, eat, and avoid being eaten in this sundrenched environment. The impact of consuming plastic may be profound, seabirds are particularly vulnerable to ingesting plastic which can lead to reduced body condition and potentially death. My proposed research is driven by two primary hypotheses. (1) the sea surface is its own unique habitat and can be defined by light and optics. To test this hypothesis, I propose an comprehensive study using direct light measurements, optical modeling, and biological sampling of animals and co-occurring ocean plastic. By scientifically establishing a definition of the sea surface as distinct from the underlying water (called the epipelagic, 0-200m deep) we can effectively craft language in policy and regulation that conserves biodiversity and mitigates human impacts unique to this habitat. This work is particularly timely as the United Nations agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) is proceeding towards ratification before entry into force and will form the basis for global ocean governance. A global spotlight will be on the BBNJ process and I will advocate for policy and regulation on a myriad of issues at the sea surface, including plastic pollution. (2) Animals adapted to live at the sea surface (broadly defined as ‘neuston’) appear similar to marine debris resulting in inadvertent consumption of plastics by sea birds, fish, and turtles. To test this hypothesis, I will use calibrated full-spectrum photography to quantify the color and pattern of neuston and marine debris and model through the eyes of select sea birds (e.g., albatross, shearwater) and fishes (e.g., tuna, mahi mahi). I will use citizen science data and publicly available data to model neuston and plastic abundance to estimate a species exposure to plastic. I will partner with Ocean Conservancy’s scientists to develop a risk assessment tool of marine debris on endangered, threatened and protected seabirds and use the tool to update policies to ensure they are consistent with states and federal protection laws including the Endangered Species Act.
Mentors
Dr. Rebecca Helm at Georgetown University, Dr. Sönke Johnsen of Duke University, and Chris Dorsett of the Ocean Conservancy
Undergraduate Education
B.S. Biology, University of Victoria, Canada, 2013
M.Sc. Biology, University of Victoria, Canada, 2016
Graduate Education
Doctor of Philosophy, Zoology, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, 2023
