Understanding Deep-Sea and Open-Ocean Fauna
The Discovery Collections comprise benthic and pelagic samples from many areas of the world's oceans. It is the only collection consisting solely of deep-sea and open-ocean invertebrates in the UK and provides vital insight into the species that live at extreme ocean depths. The The Discovery Collections facility maintains the key time-series of deep-sea organisms from the Porcupine Abyssal Plain Sustained Observatory (PAP-SO).
The collection provides great insight and understanding of deep-sea and open-ocean fauna and is continually expanding as research cruises explore more of the deep oceans, gathering new data and samples. Research on specimens within the Discovery Collections is undertaken to determine whether organisms found are new to science. Scientists can visit NOC to carry out research on the collections and help to catalogue the species that have been found. The work of the Discovery collections contributes towards NOC’s Climate and Biodiversity missions.
History of the Discovery Collections
With specimens dating back to 1925, the Discovery Collections are closely tied to advancements in scientific expeditions, with the methods of specimen collection evolving over time, mirroring the changes in technological capabilities.
The Discovery Collections Today
The ever-expanding collections continue to provide important baseline data on the deep-sea environment and showcase an extensive number of newly discovered deep-sea species. The materials are used by scientists and researchers from across the globe.
NOC's Biodiversity Mission
Marine biodiversity spans the full spectrum of life in our ocean, from microscopic plankton to great whales, and includes the genetic variation within species and the diversity of habitats which they depend. This rich variety underpins healthy, functioning ecosystems, sustaining intricate food webs and vital chemical cycles.