Marine Genome Project
At the Marine Genome Project, our mission is to explore, understand, and preserve the genetic diversity of marine life. By harnessing the power of genomic science, we strive to uncover the secrets of the ocean's biological wealth, to better understand the intricate relationships within marine ecosystems, and to provide critical insights for conservation efforts. Our commitment extends to fostering public awareness and education about marine biodiversity, promoting sustainable practices, and inspiring global collaboration in marine science. Through our work, we aim to safeguard the genetic heritage of our oceans for future generations, ensuring a balanced and thriving marine environment
"Spending countless hours witnessing the vibrant marine life while snorkeling as a child, ignited a passion for marine conservation and doing anything I could to protect our blue planet I'm fueled by the desire to protect the marine world that once enchanted me as a child, ensuring it remains a source of wonder and biodiversity for generations to come." Daniel Benjamin Ortega
Programs
Gulf of Orosei BioMap
Subterranean environments are mostly unexplored. Vast unknown ecological information lies just below the terrestrial surface. The Gulf of Orosei coastline is characterized by hundreds of caverns and caves (both dry and flooded), with some of the longest anchialine underwater cave systems of Europe.
These springs are fresh water rivers with intrusion of saltwater from the sea. Multiple decorations and speleothems testify to the varying water levels during different ice ages and prove such environments were once dry; multiple branching passages, sumps and long shallow galleries make these caves one of the premiere cave diving destinations in Europe and a maze still to be discovered and explored.
Despite the fact that the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/ EC) and the Groundwater Directive (2006/118/EC) mention groundwater habitats as very important for biodiversity and human use, no data is available from most countries on underground watercourses.
Goal: Our project aims at closing this information and knowledge gap in the study area of the Gulf of Orosei, by using eDNa (Environmental DNA) and citizen scientist to be the first in the world to to collect eDNA from an underwater cave system. By collecting eDNA we can better understand the species living within the cave and the species that are traveling from the mediterranean into the caves.
Tools: One of the tools our team will use is environmental DNA (eDNA). Allowing us to understand the ecology and distribution of species reliant on groundwater in the cave systems. This non-invasive technique uses sediment and water samples to trace and identify species living in the cave system.
Outcome: By using eDNA techniques we are able to understand and explore potential underground interconnectivity, provide information on the patterns of species diversity, and increase our knowledge of ecosystem fragility in deep ocean and other marine ecosystems.
Pre Project Data: During a trail project our team was successful in collected eDNA in 3 different underwater cave systems. We were able to extract the DNA from 8 different marine fish species, we also found 4 new species and discovered the DNA from an extinct species of bovine. These results are a breakthrough as we are the first to conduct any biological surveying in the systems.
During the first part of the expedition we were able to have Emmy Award winning documentarist Jeremy La Zelle film the expedition for a two part series on the outstanding work being completed in the region.https://vimeo.com/798639842/ef3d92e47b
Cenote BioMap
Subterranean environments are mostly unexplored. Vast unknown ecological information lies just below the terrestrial surface. The Yucatan and Tulum, Mexico area is characterized by thousands of caverns and caves (both dry and flooded), home to some of the longest cave systems in world.
These springs are fresh water rivers with intrusion of saltwater from the sea. Multiple decorations and speleothems testify to the varying water levels during different ice ages and prove such environments were once dry; multiple branching passages, long shallow galleries make these caves one of the premiere cave diving destinations in the world. Groundwater habitats such as the ones found in the region are very important for biodiversity and human use, no data is available from most countries on underground watercourses.
Goal: Our project aims at closing this information and knowledge gap in the study area of the Tulum, Mexico area by providing scientific techniques to local diving team to identify species living within the cave systems.
Tools: One of the tools our team will use is environmental DNA (eDNA). Allowing us to understand the ecology and distribution of species reliant on groundwater in the cave systems. This non-invasive technique uses sediment and water samples to trace and identify species living in the cave system.
Outcome: By using eDNA techniques we are able to understand and explore potential underground interconnectivity, provide information on the patterns of species diversity, and increase our knowledge of ecosystem fragility in underwater caves.