Giulia La Bianca

AREA OF EXPERTISE: Deep-sea benthic ecology, marine ecosystem services, habitat mapping, spatial planning. I am a deep-sea scientist with a background in marine biology. I am interested in mapping the distribution of deep-sea benthic habitats (>200 m from the ocean surface!) and their associated ecosystem services to better inform marine spatial planning

AFFILIATION: University of Plymouth (UK)

Impact

Giulia contributed to the policy brief led by Dr Kirsty McQuaid in integrating a Strategic Environmental Assessment within decision-making processes made under the BBNJ. Her contribution focused on showcasing the ecological processes and climate regulation services provided by deep-sea biodiversity. This forms part of the Hub core’s vision to ensure that evidence-based knowledge of marine biodiversity and their services to humans are explicit and integrated within ocean governance.

I would anticipate that my research undertaken as part of the One Ocean Hub will continue to demonstrate the wide range of ecosystem services provided by the deep sea and soon, it will uncover their vulnerability to climate and anthropogenic impacts.

Making waves

Giulia participated in a 6-week long multidisciplinary scientific expedition #DY159 as part of the Blue Belt Programme to conduct deep-sea ecology research using underwater cameras. She was interviewed onboard and her contributions can be found in the short film ‘The Voyage of Discovery’ (YouTube) (minutes 9:44-10:25, 13:00-13:05, 21:29-21:38) and also ‘Meet the team of #DY159’ (YouTube) (minutes 2:10-2:20, 3:59-4:12). – watch here >>

Recent publication

La Bianca, G., Rees, S., Attrill, M.J., Lombard, A.T., McQuaid, K.A., Niner, H.J., Van Rein, H., Sink, K.J. and Howell, K.L., 2023. A standardised ecosystem services framework for the deep sea. Frontiers in Marine Science, 10, p.1176230 – read here >>

Artwork: Margherita Brunori