A DECADE OF DISCOVERY
2,700 scientists
80+ nations
540 expeditions
US$ 650 million
2,600+ scientific publications
6,000+ potential new species
28 million distribution records and counting
These numbers only begin to describe the scope of the Census of Marine Life, a 10-year international effort undertaken to assess the diversity (how many different kinds), distribution (where they live), and abundance (how many) of marine life—a task never before attempted on this scale. The Census stimulated the discipline of marine science by tackling these issues globally, and engaging some 2,700 scientists from around the globe, who participated in 540 expeditions and countless hours of land-based research. The stunning and sometimes overwhelming scientific results were reported on October 4, 2010.
Read more about the Census
The images below were selected by National Geographic as the 10 best images from the decade long census…click on an image and enjoy….
Sources:
Census of Marine Life
Blue Xmas
