Technical Scientific Research Working Groups (TSR-WGs)
The Technical Scientific Research Working Groups (TSR-WGs) support the development of standards in methods, measurements, and data practices that are critical for delivering robust datasets capable of underpinning ecosystem models and assessments of cumulative impacts in the deep sea.
Building on earlier efforts under the Census of Marine Life and more recent initiatives, Challenger 150 works closely with the Deep Ocean Observing Strategy and other Ocean Decade Programmes to move the community towards greater alignment in working practices.
Together, the TSR-WGs aim to:
Promote consistency and comparability in deep-sea data collection and analysis
Support the development and sharing of technical and methodological standards
Enable datasets that can inform ecosystem models and cumulative impact assessments
Assess the potential of emerging and novel technologies to advance deep-sea science
Improve accessibility to deep-sea research through lower-cost approaches or by opening new lines of enquiry
The TSR-WGs currently encompass complementary areas of technical development, including:
Imagery-based methods for biological and habitat observation
Litter recording and classification, focusing on harmonised approaches to documenting anthropogenic debris from deep-sea imagery and surveys
- Trait-based ecological approaches to support functional understanding of biodiversity
The TSR-WGs are currently at different stages of development, with activities and outputs evolving as communities of practice form and priorities are refined. Collectively, they provide a technical foundation to support Challenger 150’s wider scientific coordination and long-term objectives.
