PHOTO
Seminal Scientific Research
Muscat – The Oman Animal Plant & Genetic Resources Center (OAPGRC) will launch its Marine Phytoplankton Guide of Oman’s Waters this February.
“This is the first phytoplankton guide to Oman’s coastal waters and is the result of an extensive six-year scientific study. Be in no doubt, the guide is of significant international importance, a publication we can all be deeply proud of,” explained Dr. Nadiya Al Saady, OAPGRC’s Executive Director.
OAPGRC’s Marine Phytoplankton Guide of Oman’s Waters aims to assist professionals as well as students identify the species and genus levels of tropical and sub-tropical species commonly found in Oman’s coastal waters.
Authored by leading Omani marine scientist, Dr. Khalid Al Hashmi, the OAPGRC guide contains descriptions with photographs of 137 phytoplankton species - 64 diatoms, 71 dinoflagellates, one Silicoflagellate and one cyanobacterium. It also provides the reader with details of sampling methods and preservation techniques along with a glossary of terms used in the phytoplankton studies.
Planktons are microscopic marine plants that float in the upper part of the ocean where sunlight penetrates the water. They are the foundation of the aquatic food web, feeding everything from microscopic, animal like zooplankton, small fish and invertebrates to multi-ton whales. It is responsible for half of the world's photosynthesis and also removes approximately 100 million tons of carbon dioxide from the Earth on a daily basis.
“Plankton populations are important indicators that help scientists monitor changes in our oceans. Biologists have noted that as oceans get warmer, plankton distribution decreases and animals shift their migration patterns to follow sources of food. Fish populations that once thrived in certain areas move to where plankton migrate, altering larger sea creatures' habits which in turn impacts the global fishing and food industry,” pointed out the OAPGRC Executive Director.
OAPGRC’s mission is to promote recognition, sustainable exploitation and valuation of genetic diversity inherent in Oman’s animals, plants and microorganisms as a natural heritage resource. And its vision is to develop as a collaborative hub for all animal and plant genetic resources activities; promote the sustainable use of knowledge across economic sectors and social segments; and create value from world-class research and practical innovation.
“The publication of the Marine Phytoplankton Guide for Oman’s Waters is another example of OAPGRC sharing its work with the international science community and building local capacity in the field of genetic resources. This is a very proud moment for everyone that worked on this seminal scientific study,” concluded Dr. Al Saady.
© Press Release 2017
