standardization of environmental data and information - International ...

the fauna in these samples. If the samples could be sorted to species, this
would very significantly increase the biodiversity database of the region.
This could provide data on species ranges and adequate sampling efforts
that potentially would be very useful in predicting the impact of mining. The
data from the second Deep Ocean Mining Environmental Study (DOMES II),
which have never been published or made available, would also be very
helpful. Compiling species-abundance data (a list of species and the
abundance of each species in each sample) from existing samples should
increase the biodiversity database by at least several-fold.
Given the difficulty of sampling abyssal communities, the Workshop
has also discussed the possibility of sampling one claim very thoroughly to
establish a database that is adequate to measure effects of mining. It may
be possible to generalise this to other claims and to use the results of a
very thorough sampling programme to develop more efficient sampling
designs for subsequent mining operations.
PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION ON BIODIVERSITY IN THE DEEP-
SEA BENTHOS
Levels of biodiversity
Dr. Rex began his oral presentation by describing the different levels
of biodiversity, each with its own set of patterns and processes.
He said genetic biodiversity, though not on the agenda of the
International Seabed Authority, should be considered. Much of the
conservation movement for terrestrial environments was based on genetic
population structure and the gene pool, because these factors provided
much clearer insight into extinction potential and would be helpful in
resolving taxonomic problems as well. Since material was being collected
in the deep sea, it would be a shame not to do some research on its genetic
population structure. The main expense was for collection, as the cost of
sequencing the DNA was minor by comparison. Moreover, since genetic
population structure was the origin of biodiversity on all the other levels,
conserving it was important.
If the Authority was interested in pursuing standardization of
research on abundant species, the Workshop should think about
308 INTERNATIONAL SEABED AUTHORITY