Villy Christensen
Encyclopedia
Villy Christensen is an ecosystem model
ler with a background in fisheries science
. He is known for his work as a project leader and core developer of Ecopath
, an ecosystem modelling software system widely used in fisheries management
. Ecopath was initially an initiative of the NOAA, but since primarily developed at the Fisheries Centre
of the University of British Columbia
. In 2007, it was named as one of the ten biggest scientific breakthroughs in NOAA’s 200-year history. The citation states that Ecopath “revolutionized scientists’ ability worldwide to understand complex marine ecosystems”.
at Copenhagen University. Jeffrey Polovina initiated the Ecopath approach in the early 1980s. Christensen, along with Daniel Pauly
and others, has been involved in the subsequent development of Ecopath since 1990.
Christensen currently facilitates international workshops on Ecopath around the world. He is a professor at the Fisheries Centre
at the University of British Columbia
, specialising in ecosystem model
ling. His main project is with the Sea Around Us Project
working on "database-driven ecosystem model construction", with the aim of using "global, spatial databases to parameterize, balance and fit ecosystem models". This work includes developing a dynamic exchange model of biomass
over time in the Chesapeake Bay
area, as well as how marine protected area
s can be optimally positioned. He is also director of the Lenfest Ocean Futures Project, where a visualization system is being developed to support decision making in ecosystem-based fisheries management. This system combines Blender
, a 3D-gaming engine, with Ecopath
.
Ecosystem model
An ecosystem model is an abstract, usually mathematical, representation of an ecological system , which is studied to gain a deeper understanding of the real system.Ecosystem models are formed by combining known ecological relations An ecosystem model is an abstract, usually mathematical,...
ler with a background in fisheries science
Fisheries science
Fisheries science is the academic discipline of managing and understanding fisheries. It is a multidisciplinary science, which draws on the disciplines of oceanography, marine biology, marine conservation, ecology, population dynamics, economics and management to attempt to provide an integrated...
. He is known for his work as a project leader and core developer of Ecopath
Ecopath
Ecopath with Ecosim is a free ecosystem modelling software suite. It was initially a NOAA initiative led by Jeffrey Polovina, but since primarily developed at the Fisheries Centre of the University of British Columbia. In 2007, it was named as one of the ten biggest scientific breakthroughs in...
, an ecosystem modelling software system widely used in fisheries management
Fisheries management
Fisheries management draws on fisheries science in order to find ways to protect fishery resources so sustainable exploitation is possible. Modern fisheries management is often referred to as a governmental system of appropriate management rules based on defined objectives and a mix of management...
. Ecopath was initially an initiative of the NOAA, but since primarily developed at the Fisheries Centre
Fisheries Centre
The Fisheries Centre, located at the University of British Columbia, promotes multidisciplinary study of aquatic ecosystems and broad-based collaboration with maritime communities, government, NGOs and other partners...
of the University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
. In 2007, it was named as one of the ten biggest scientific breakthroughs in NOAA’s 200-year history. The citation states that Ecopath “revolutionized scientists’ ability worldwide to understand complex marine ecosystems”.
Biography
Christensen did his Ph.D under Sven Erik JørgensenSven Erik Jørgensen
Sven Erik Jørgensen is an ecologist and chemist. He currently works for the Royal Danish School of Pharmacy in the department of Analytical and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, in the Environmental Chemistry division...
at Copenhagen University. Jeffrey Polovina initiated the Ecopath approach in the early 1980s. Christensen, along with Daniel Pauly
Daniel Pauly
Daniel Pauly is a French-born marine biologist, well-known for his work in studying human impacts on global fisheries. He is a professor and the project leader of the Sea Around Us Project at the Fisheries Centre at the University of British Columbia. He also served as Director of the Fisheries...
and others, has been involved in the subsequent development of Ecopath since 1990.
Christensen currently facilitates international workshops on Ecopath around the world. He is a professor at the Fisheries Centre
Fisheries Centre
The Fisheries Centre, located at the University of British Columbia, promotes multidisciplinary study of aquatic ecosystems and broad-based collaboration with maritime communities, government, NGOs and other partners...
at the University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
, specialising in ecosystem model
Ecosystem model
An ecosystem model is an abstract, usually mathematical, representation of an ecological system , which is studied to gain a deeper understanding of the real system.Ecosystem models are formed by combining known ecological relations An ecosystem model is an abstract, usually mathematical,...
ling. His main project is with the Sea Around Us Project
Sea Around Us Project
The Sea Around Us Project is an international research group based at the University of British Columbia Fisheries Centre that is devoted to studying the impacts of fisheries on the world's marine ecosystems...
working on "database-driven ecosystem model construction", with the aim of using "global, spatial databases to parameterize, balance and fit ecosystem models". This work includes developing a dynamic exchange model of biomass
Biomass (ecology)
Biomass, in ecology, is the mass of living biological organisms in a given area or ecosystem at a given time. Biomass can refer to species biomass, which is the mass of one or more species, or to community biomass, which is the mass of all species in the community. It can include microorganisms,...
over time in the Chesapeake Bay
Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. It lies off the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by Maryland and Virginia. The Chesapeake Bay's drainage basin covers in the District of Columbia and parts of six states: New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West...
area, as well as how marine protected area
Marine Protected Area
Marine Protected Areas, like any protected area, are regions in which human activity has been placed under some restrictions in the interest of conserving the natural environment, it's surrounding waters and the occupant ecosystems, and any cultural or historical resources that may require...
s can be optimally positioned. He is also director of the Lenfest Ocean Futures Project, where a visualization system is being developed to support decision making in ecosystem-based fisheries management. This system combines Blender
Blender (software)
Blender is a free and open-source 3D computer graphics software product used for creating animated films, visual effects, interactive 3D applications or video games. The current release version is 2.60, and was released on October 19, 2011...
, a 3D-gaming engine, with Ecopath
Ecopath
Ecopath with Ecosim is a free ecosystem modelling software suite. It was initially a NOAA initiative led by Jeffrey Polovina, but since primarily developed at the Fisheries Centre of the University of British Columbia. In 2007, it was named as one of the ten biggest scientific breakthroughs in...
.
Selected papers
- Wilson RW, Millero FJ, Taylor JR, Walsh PJ, Christensen V, Jennings S and Grosell M (2009) "Contribution of Fish to the Marine Inorganic Carbon Cycle" Science, 323 (5912) 359-362. (This article provides a first estimate of global fish biomass)
- Pauly DDaniel PaulyDaniel Pauly is a French-born marine biologist, well-known for his work in studying human impacts on global fisheries. He is a professor and the project leader of the Sea Around Us Project at the Fisheries Centre at the University of British Columbia. He also served as Director of the Fisheries...
, Christensen V, Dalsgaard J, Froese R and Torres F (1998) "Fishing down marine food webs" Science, 279: 860-863. - Pauly D and Christensen V (1995) "Primary production required to sustain global fisheries" Nature 374(6519): 255-257.
- Christensen V (1996) [ftp://ftp.fisheries.ubc.ca/v.christensen/Publications/Christensen_top_predators_RiFBaF_1996.pdf "Managing fisheries involving top predator and prey species components"] Review in Fish Biology and Fisheries, 6:417-442. (First published description of "fishing down the food web" concept)
- Christensen V (1995) [ftp://ftp.fisheries.ubc.ca/v.christensen/Publications/Christensen_Maturity_EM_1995.pdf "Ecosystem maturity - towards quantification"] Ecological Modelling, 77: 3-32.
- Christensen V and Pauly D (1992) [ftp://ftp.fisheries.ubc.ca/v.christensen/Publications/Christensen_EcopathII_EM1992.pdf "ECOPATH II - A software for balancing steady-state ecosystem models and calculating network characteristics"] Ecological Modelling, 61:169-185. (Third-most cited paper in this journal)
External links
- Dr Villy Christensen UBC web site.
- Animated documentary on Chesapeake Bay NOAA.