This research is concerned with developing and applying novel statistical approaches in order to analyze complex marine ecological data. The primary motivation is that advances in observing technologies have far outpaced our ability to analyze these new and complex data types. This has resulted in a research "bottleneck" wherein marine scientists await development of the statistical and modeling tools needed to fully exploit these new data. A central aim of this work is to help eliminate this bottleneck. Find out more.

Workshop!
On June 7th and 8th, 2007, Dalhousie University hosted a workshop on Statistical Methods for Marine Ecological Data. There were no formal presentations, but rather we had several Biologists present the type of data they are working with and outline the questions they would like to answer based on the data. An email list has been created for workshop participants that wished to keep in contact. More info.

Subproject 1: Biological Data Assimilation
This sub-project is concerned with developing statistical methods for biological data assimilation, i.e. estimating the marine ecosystem state using nonlinear ecological models and available marine observations of various types. More info.

Subproject 2: Modeling Marine Animal Movements
Animal movement data provides insight into how and where the animals move. However, the rich behavioral record embedded in the data is, for the most part, beyond the reach of current statistical analysis. More info.

Subproject 3:Salmon/Environment Interaction
The collapse of Rivers Inlet sockeye salmon has had a major impact on the commercial salmon fishery and has devastated the cultural and economic foundation of the Oweekeno First Nation. Hence, this research project would provide a high public profile to the work of the NPCDS. More info.

Subproject 4: Analysis of Marine Genomic/Environmental Data
The fundamental idea of this research will be to incorporate genomic data from environmental shotgun sequences with more standard biological/oceanographic data with a view towards understanding the interactions of the genomic characteristics of marine organisms with environmental factors. More info.

Subproject 5: Ocean Data Integration
DFO is currently establishing National Centres of Expertise, aimed at establishing partnerships with researchers in other agencies. This NPCDS project intends to link up and partner with this DFO initiative. More info.