Observing and monitoring biological communities (from plankton to fish) is essential to unveil complex ecological processes and ultimately allow adequate marine environmental protection measures and a sustainable exploitation of the ocean.
It is of utmost importance to develop biological surveys, and gliders are very capable tools for this, in conjunction with other platforms.
Part of a Multiplatform approach
The most relevant and cost-effective way to fully describe spatial and temporal oceanic variability is called the ‘multiplatform’ approach.
Gliders complement very efficiently observations by other platforms, in particular where data are missing and at small scales. OceanGliders program recent integration in the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) is proof of the success of the platform