Priorities for ocean microbiome research

Studying the ocean microbiome can inform international policies related to ocean governance, tackling climate change, ocean acidification and pollution, and can help promote achievement of multiple Sustainable Development Goals. Microbial communities have essential roles in ocean ecology and planetary health. Microbes participate in nutrient cycles, remove huge quantities of carbon dioxide from the air and support ocean food webs. The taxonomic and functional diversity of the global ocean microbiome has been revealed by technological advances in sampling, DNA sequencing and bioinformatics. A better understanding of the ocean microbiome could underpin strategies to address environmental and societal challenges, including achievement of multiple Sustainable Development Goals way beyond SDG 14 'life below water'. We propose a set of priorities for understanding and protecting the ocean microbiome, which include delineating interactions between microbiota, sustainably applying resources from oceanic microorganisms and creating policy- and funder-friendly ocean education resources, and discuss how to achieve these ambitious goals.

Automated summary

Studying the ocean microbiome is crucial for ocean governance, addressing climate change and pollution, and achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals. Microbes play essential roles in marine ecology, participating in nutrient cycles, carbon dioxide removal, and supporting marine food webs. Technological advances have allowed for a better understanding of the taxonomic and functional diversity of the global ocean microbiome. Understanding and protecting the ocean microbiome can contribute to addressing environmental and societal challenges.