SCIENCE ILLUSTRATION

Engaging visuals for complex science

KEYSTONE MANAGEMENT SPECIES

Protecting key, charismatic species can also have a beneficial effect on their habitats and the larger ecosystem, thereby driving ecosystem-based management.

Hayes, S.A. and Roman, J. Keystone management species under the Endangered Species Act can promote ecosystem-based management. Frontiers in Conservation Science 6: 1645471 (2025).

NUTRIENTSCAPE ECOLOGY

The connectivity of nutrients across landscapes and seascapes plays a fundamental role in shaping the structure and function of coastal ecosystems (for full figure see link below).

Palola, P., et al. Nutrientscape ecology: a whole-system framework to support the understanding and management of coastal nutrient connectivity. Landscape Ecology 40, 48 (2025).

ARCTIC ECOSYSTEM STRESSORS

Integrating multiple, interacting stressors into ecosystem-based management and planning could provide an opportunity to manage Arctic resources amid a growing climate crisis.

Wedding, L.M., et al. Linking multiple stressor science to policy opportunities through network modeling. Marine Policy 146: 105307 (2022).

THE SALAS Y GÓMEZ AND NAZCA RIDGES

These two volcanic seamount chains have unique biodiversity and exceptional natural and cultural significance.

Wagner, D., et al. The Salas y Gómez and Nazca ridges: A review of the importance, opportunities and challenges for protecting a global diversity hotspot on the high seas. Marine Policy 126: 104377 (2021).

DEOXYGENATION IMPACTS ON A CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEM

This conceptual figure shows the impacts of an acute deoxygenation event on coral reef benthic and microbial community structure.

Johnson, M.D., et al. Rapid ecosystem-scale consequences of acute deoxygenation on a Caribbean coral reef. Nature Communications 12: 4522 (2021).

A HIDDEN WORLD BELOW THE SURFACE

Ocean features called surface slicks play a critically important role for the fish we rely on for food and healthy marine ecosystems.

Whitney, J.L., et al. Surface slicks are pelagic nurseries for diverse ocean fauna. Nature Scientific Reports 11 (1): 1-18 (2021).

deep-sea mining threatens midwater ecosystems

Sediment plumes and noise generated by deep-sea mining could impact pelagic species and biodiversity in deep midwater ecosystems (for full figure see link below).

Drazen, J.C., et al. Midwater ecosystems must be considered when evaluating environmental risks of deep-sea mining. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 117 (30): 17455-17460 (2020).

MICRO-PLASTICS INVADE LARVAL FISH HABITAT

Surface slicks, meandering lines of convergence along the coastal ocean, are an important habitat for larval fish but also accumulate tiny, toxic microplastics.

Gove, J.M., et al. Prey-size plastics are invading larval fish nurseries. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 116 (48): 24143-24149 (2019).

CORAL REEF FUTURES

Human activities are causing unprecedented changes to coral reefs which have evolved over millions of years.

Williams, G.J. and N.A.J. Graham. Rethinking coral reef functional futures. Functional Ecology 33: 942-947 (2019).

impacts to coral reefs

This illustration shows the differences in coral reef ecosystems before major human impacts (pre-Anthropocene) in contrast to the many impacts of human activities on reefs today.

Williams, G.J., et al. Coral reef ecology in the Anthropocene. Functional Ecology 33: 1014-1022 (2019).

CORAL REEF MANAGEMENT TIMELINE

This visualization depicts the history of key events affecting coral reef fisheries management in Hawaiʻi.

Ayers, A.L., et al. Whose right to manage? Distribution of property rights affects equity and power dynamics in co-management. Ecology and Society 23 (2): 37 (2018).

ISLAND MASS EFFECT

This infographic explains the complexity of biological interactions and ocean dynamics around coral reefs in remote ocean areas.

Gove, J.M., et al. Near-island biological hotspots in barren ocean basins. Nature Communications 7: 10581 (2016).

“Creative graphics that capture and enhance the detail of the science in question. It’s a pleasure to work with someone who understands the science and is therefore able to communicate it effectively to a range of audiences with an added layer of artistic flair.”

— Gareth J. Williams, , Ph.D., Associate Professor in Marine Biology, School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University