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Shane Hogle represents Finland in international ocean science program
Scientists from 16 countries have joined forces in BioGeoSCAPES, a newly launched international research program focused on understanding how marine microorganisms shape ocean ecosystems and global biogeochemical cycles. The initiative brings together experts from multiple disciplines to address some of the most pressing questions about ocean health, climate, and ecosystem change.
Shane Hogle, Associate Professor in Environmental and Marine Biology at Åbo Akademi University is one of the 63 authors of the research program’s newly launched science plan. Hogle has contributed to the program’s development as one of Finland’s national ambassadors, as co-chair of the Education and Outreach standing committee, and as a member of the program’s Scientific Steering Committee representing Finland and the Nordic countries.
“Microorganisms in the ocean produce half the Earth’s oxygen every year, regulate climate through greenhouse gas production and consumption, and are the base of food webs that support fisheries and other industries that humans depend upon. Although we can’t see them with the naked eye, they play a massive role in our planetary life support system.’’
Part of what BioGeoSCAPES wants to do is raise awareness of the importance of ocean microbes among the global public and the scientific community.
‘’As humans continue to disrupt the Earth system by releasing unsustainable amounts of planet-warming greenhouse gasses, we need to get a baseline level of understanding about how ocean microbes contribute to the health of our oceans and how that will change as the climate warms,” says Hogle, who was recently appointed Associate Professor at Åbo Akademi University.
BioGeoSCAPES seeks to bridge the fields of marine biology, microbiology, oceanography, ecology, biogeochemistry, and data science. By fostering international collaboration, the program aims to improve understanding of marine microbial communities and their responses to environmental change.
The program is expected to enable new research collaborations, develop interdisciplnary networks, help train the next generation of ocean scientists, and promote ocean literacy to the public.
The BioGeoSCAPES community will host an open webinar on 10 November 2026, introducing the program’s scientific vision, objectives, and opportunities for involvement.
Read more and participate in webinar:
BioGeoSCAPES Science Plan: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23465636
Register for the webinar: Connect – BioGeoSCAPES
