World-class,societally relevant marine science in a changing world Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) continues to be an internationally recognised organization, carrying out world-class marine environmental research which addresses some of the key marine issues facing society today. Concentrating its efforts on the sunlit ocean, PML draws upon its wide ranging expertise and experience to assemble multidisciplinary teams capable of developing the experiments, tools and techniques for gathering data and observations on targeted aspects of the marine environment, from microbial to community, ecosystem and global levels. By taking an interdisciplinary approach PML has the proven competence to analyse and interpret its scientific results, so providing meaningful and accessible information for use by a diversity of stakeholders including scientists, partner institutes and other organizations, policy makers, industry and the wider public. Of particular interest is PML’s contribution to National Capability which enables the UK to deliver world-leading environmental science, support national strategic needs and respond to emergencies. PML’s research and development activities, on a number of fronts, help maintain the nation’s globally cutting-edge capability to address significant environmental issues. In taking a more complete view of marine systems PML brings together studies of biodiversity ranging from the basic building blocks of life (DNA, RNA and proteins) to communities, providing a unique insight into the part biodiversity plays in controlling ecosystem functioning and how it may be affected by human exploitation of the marine environment. Key to the maintenance of such systems, and a major aspect of PML’s work, is an understanding of how the major elements in the surface oceans and coastal seas are cycled and influence productivity and climate and how they may be affected in a changing world. Linking social and natural marine science to understand the consequences of interactions between humans and the marine environment to improve outcomes and benefits, while
supporting sustainable and responsible stewardship, is a particular ability of PML. Key to the maintenance of such systems, and a major aspect of PML’s work, is an understanding of how the major elements in the surface oceans and coastal seas are cycled and influence productivity and climate and how they may be affected in a changing world. Linking social and natural marine science to understand the consequences of interactions between humans and the marine environment to improve outcomes and benefits, while supporting sustainable and responsible stewardship, is a particular ability of PML. Two internationally acknowledged strengths of PML are its modelling and Earth observation capabilities. Modelling improves understanding of variability, potential impacts and feedbacks of global change and anthropogenic forcing on the structure, function and dynamics of the global ocean and its associated shelf seas, and on their capacity to provide ecosystem goods and services. Earth observation, through airborne and satellite mounted sensors, contributes data for fundamental research on marine ecosystems including: water quality monitoring, productivity, potentially; harmful algal blooms, ocean front detection and validation of algorithms and methods. In 2002 PML set up PML Applications Ltd to broaden the application of PML’s reseach products and to drive the process of knowledge transfer, identiyfing and bringing to market the next generation of innovation and products. Customers vary at the R&D and commercialisation stage and cover a broad spectrum such as healthcare and pharmaceutical companies, environmental managers/ bodies, the shipping industry, consultancies, government and Research Councils. Applying its breadth of skills and abilities, experience and expertise in novel cross-cutting ways ensures that PML continues to develop as a societally relevant, competitive, respected, world-class research organization. www.pml.ac.uk / @PlymouthMarine
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