Research chair sets sights on marine ecosystems

Cutting-edge satellite technologies paired with Indigenous knowledge and historical data will support science and management of marine ecosystems, thanks to a new investment in the work of University of Victoria geography researcher Maycira Costa.

Costa has been named the BC Leadership Chair in Environmental Remote Sensing, with a goal to advance science and conservation management of marine ecosystems amid unprecedented environmental and natural resource changes.

Marine habitat loss and a decline in biodiversity are growing challenges that require advanced research using Earth Observation technologies (satellites), to tackle these issues. Costa and her team will conduct groundbreaking research to harvest information collected by satellites in many regions that are difficult to access.

Costa’s work aims to develop new indicators that will enhance our understanding of changes in marine biodiversity and the pressures driving these changes, ultimately supporting improved management practices.

“Utilizing the latest satellite technology and drones, my lab will carry out innovative research to determine changes in marine ecosystems and unravel the complex pressures impacting them to help protect these ecosystems and associated natural resources, and work with the local Indigenous communities that depend on them,” says Costa.

One critically important marine ecosystem under growing pressure is kelp. Often referred to as the "rainforests of the ocean," kelp forests play a vital role in sequestering carbon from the atmosphere and serve as habitats for numerous key species. Understanding the factors behind their decline is crucial for addressing the broader impacts on marine biodiversity and climate regulation.”

—Maycira Costa, BC Leadership Chair in Environmental Remote Sensing and UVic geography researcher

A comprehensive array of field instrumentation and model development will be crucial for supporting current and future satellite missions focused on studying marine ecosystems.

“The BC Leadership Chair in Environmental Remote Sensing is a strong recognition of the importance of Maycira Costa’s innovative and crucial work to map and protect coastal ecosystems. Significantly, she will combine First Nations knowledge with data from satellites and drones to uncover new insights,” says Lisa Kalynchuk, vice-president of research and innovation.

As the BC Leadership Chair in Environmental Remote Sensing, Maycira Costa’s research program will deepen our understanding of how changing ocean conditions affect various marine ecosystems, including the long-term resilience of kelp along the British Columbia coast. This work directly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 13 Climate action and 14 Life below water. Additionally, the program emphasizes the importance of fostering strong collaboration across various levels of Indigenous governance to leverage science, technology, and innovation in addressing current environmental challenges.

Innovate BC administers the BC Leadership Chair as part of its mandate to facilitate the development and adoption of technology that is solving challenges faced by British Columbians and around the world. The chair is an endowed position established and partially funded by Leading Edge Endowment Fund.

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