The aim of the Surrogates Program is to improve our understanding of the ecological processes linking selected environmental variables and patterns in biodiversity, and hence their potential as surrogates. The emphasis will be on physical variables, although some biological variables (e.g. productivity) will be also be tested. The Program will assemble the relevant physical datasets needed for both the Biophysical Relationships and Prediction Programs. This Program will provide new tools for marine biodiversity research and management through developing more informed and robust surrogates for biodiversity. There are 3 projects that cover identifying and acquiring data, assessment and further development of physical surrogates and the development of disturbance surrogates for the shelf and slope.