SeaMap is a large collaborative study which aims to collate and serve data towards South Africa's first data-driven marine ecosystem map. The data that will be used towards this map are marine invertebrate species occurrence records and barcode records. In addition, 16S rRNA gene sequences of bacterial isolates found in association with marine invertebrates and sediments will also provide insights into the unique bacterial diversity found along the South African coastline. The marine ecosystem map supports marine biodiversity assessment, spatial planning, monitoring for change and development of the ocean economy.
The SeaMap Principal Investigator (PI), Dr Lara Atkinson, is from the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON). This project is funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa and the South African national Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) Foundational Biodiversity Information Programme (FBIP). Less...