US National BioGeoSCAPES Workshop Report

Abstract

BioGeoSCAPES (BGS) is an international program being developed to understand controls on ocean productivity and metabolism by integrating systems biology (‘omics) and biogeochemistry (Figure 1). To ensure global input into the design of the BGS Program, countries interested in participating were tasked with holding an organizing meeting to discuss the country-specific research priorities. A United States BGS planning meeting, sponsored by the Ocean Carbon & Biogeochemistry (OCB) Project Office, was convened virtually November 10-12, 2021. The objectives of the meeting were to communicate the planning underway by international partners, engage the US community to explore possible national contributions to such a program, and build understanding, support, and momentum for US efforts towards BGS. The meeting was well-attended, with 154 participants and many fruitful discussions that are summarized in this document. Key outcomes from the meeting were the identification of additional programs and partners for BGS, a prioritization of measurements requiring intercalibration, and the development of a consensus around key considerations to be addressed in a science plan. Looking forward, the hope is that this workshop will serve as the foundation for future US and international discussions and planning for a BGS program, enabled by NSF funding for an AccelNet project (AccelNet - Implementation: Development of an International Network for the Study of Ocean Metabolism and Nutrient Cycles on a Changing Planet (BioGeoSCAPES)), beginning in 2022.