Spatial Literacy and Ocean Science and Technology

Many have called for a purposeful and strategic approach to elevating spatial literacy in all aspects of public decision making (Goodchild 1992, Kuhn 2012, Newcombe 2013). In the Ocean Sciences, spatial thinking is compounded by the requirement to consider vertical and temporal dimensions as well as the remoteness and the literal impossibility of making repeatable observations. Like other physical earth sciences, the marine geospatial scientists will make use of various raster and vector representations, a selection of classic projection, and a unique vocabulary for identifying spatial objects. At the same time, ocean science issues (sea level rise, ocean acidification, marine plastics) are becoming more “mainstream” and now may even find their way into a political debate. Technology in ocean data acquisition, representation, and dissemination has enabled more people to become aware how little is known about the world’s oceans, and with that awareness has come the need for trusted data. This presentation reviews a few of the key “spatial thinking” concepts that, if integrated into the ocean science vernacular, would assist marine geospatial scientist in communicating their work. Also, some of the advances in observational ocean technology is presented and how these technologies open new opportunities to “mainstreaming” ocean science in public debate.