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I work with ecosystem modeling and have a background in fisheries research. My research has since 1990 been centered on understanding how human exploitation impacts marine ecosystems, and utilizes ecosystem modeling as the main tool. As part of this I have been central to the development and dissemination of the Ecopath approach and software, and have through cooperation with scientists worldwide focused on trophic dynamics of aquatic resources. I have led a large number of training courses and workshops throughout the world, centered on developing ecosystem approaches to fisheries management. Ecopath modeling is the de-facto standard for ecosystem approaches to fisheries management, and is being applied throughout the world. There are more than 350 derived models and publications, and more than 6000 registered users in 150 countries. Close to a hundred degrees using this form for modeling as a central element have been awarded at universities globally. My focus is now on how we communicate science and how we use science as input to the decision-making process. This involves use of advanced gaming technology and visualizations combined with research on the decision-making process.

Notable research activities:

2008-: Integration of ecological and value modeling: value chain approach integration in EwE

2009: Co-author of study of fishes contribution to the marine inorganic carbon cycle (Science 2009) providing a first estimate of global fish biomass.
2006- Leading development of new EwE6, including coupling to 3D-gaming engine for visualization, design of decision-support system, single-player game, and videos (Chesapeake)  
2004- Developing methodology for database-driven ecosystem model generation; applied to all the world’s large marine ecosystems (Christensen et al. 2008, 2009)
2001-3: Developed methodology for quantification of how fish biomass and exploitation pressure has changed regionally; applied to the North Atlantic, West Africa, and the South China Sea (Christensen et al., 2003, 2004, 2003)
1998: Co-author of “fishing down marine food webs” (Pauly et al. 1998)
1996: First published description of "fishing down the food web" concept (Christensen 1996)
1995: First quantification of ecosystem maturity (Christensen 1995), since then applied and elaborated further by many researchers
1995: Co-author of “primary production required to sustain global fisheries” (Pauly & Christensen 1995)
1993: Published description of how to calculate ‘primary production required for fisheries’ (Christensen & Pauly 1993)
1992: Published description of Ecopath II (Christensen & Pauly 1992). This paper was recognized by Ecological Modelling in Dec 2008 as the third-most cited paper in the journal (out of 5020).
1991: Evaluation of fisheries potential for tropical and subtropical areas globally (Christensen et al. 1991)
1990: Project leader for Ecopath development since 1990   

Current project activities:

• My main activity is through the Sea Around Us Project, initiated and funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts. Here I currently focus on ‘database-driven ecosystem model construction’. The aim of this is to use global, spatial databases to parameterize, balance and fit ecosystem models;

• Lenfest Ocean Futures Project, funded by the Lenfest Ocean Program. For this we are developing a 3D-gaming version for visualizations, and  we are developing a decision-support systems for ecosystem-based fisheries management; We do this by  linking the 3D-gaming engine, Blender to EwE. More about this: Cooperation with GNWC;  Data visualization on BlenderNation; Workshop on BlenderNation;  On10Net;  Game Career Guide; 

• We have through the Lenfest Ocean Program been able to re-develop the Ecopath with Ecosim software, which was recognized by NOAA as one of the 10 major scientific breakthroughs in the organizations 200-year history.

• Development of an approach for optimizing placement of marine protected areas through funding from Duke University Tool Innovation Fund and the David and Lucille Packard Foundation;
• A dynamic mass balance model of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem, funded by the NOAA  Chesapeake Bay Office. Current activities are focused on visualizations of the  ecosystem over time.

Recent project activities:

• Promoting ecosystem-based approaches to fisheries conservation and LME’s (global  activity) funded by the Global Environment Facility/UNESCO-IOC;
• Global Environment Outlook (GEO4) scenarios modeling funded by UNEP;
• Global Biodiversity Outlook (GLOBIO2) funded by the Netherlands Ministry for the  Environment;
• OECD Environment Outlook, scenario development;
• Programming of Ecological Network Analysis funded by the Scottish Association for Marine Science and the Lenfest Ocean Program;
• Developing module for tracking persistent substances funded by the Finnish Institute of Marine Research;
• Visualization of pine beetle attacks funded by the BC Ministry of the Environment;

Courses taught at UBC:
I recently taught the graduate ecosystem modeling course Fish 501,  with a course in the Winter Session (Jan-April 2009). The next course will be held in the autumn of 2010. I regularly teach ecosystem modeling at other places, see www.ecopath.org or contact me.

Publications:(see link to ResearcherID above for online list)

• Refereed publications
• Non-refereed publications
• Books and reports
• Work submitted

Graduate student activities:
I have an opening for a Ph.D. student; enrollment through UBC Zoology. Focus will be on incorporating biodiversity and climate change in ecosystem modeling. The candidate should have a solid ecological and programming background, preferably experience with object oriented programming.

Another opening is for a Ph.D. student to work with global food policy modeling. How will fish contribute to food security in the future? 

I may have an opening for a M.Sc. student ASAP. Topic will be to evaluate the role of sharks in the ecosystems,  either through analysis of a number of ecosystem case studies involving trophic modeling, or through construction of a model of the pelagic ocean with emphasis on shark diversity and exploitation.  It is not a field study, but modeling. Enrollment through UBC Zoology.

Other thesis topics related to ecosystem modeling may work as well, contingent on funding.