Categories of needed information are sub-divided into Coastal (C) and Offshore (O) components, since information requirements may differ for various locations. RED cells indicate major unknowns with poor data availability, YELLOW cells indicate limited information (some aspects from some regions may be known), and GREEN cells indicate no major unknowns and that available information is generally adequate. In addition, the detailed information associated with these cells can be found below the table.

A1 - at stock level for exploited fish, seabirds, mammals
A5 - relative abundances at some aggregate level, averaged over space and time C1 - should know taxonomic diversity, currently unknown, knowable with genetic tools
C2 - should know taxonomic diversity, currently unknown, knowable with genetic tools
C5 - known in some regions at aggregate level; not highly variable??
C7 - may be unknowable, probably don't need to know
C8 - may be unknowable, probably don't need to know
C9 - known in aggregate in some regions

D1 - known at genus level or coarser; poorly known at species level, re-classification likely; taxonomic diversity important to know; genetic technology has promise
D2 - known at genus level or coarser; poorly known at species level, re-classification likely; taxonomic diversity important to know; small phytoplankton more important in oceanic areas
D3 - at current taxonomic resolution most taxa appear cosmopolitan, not likely at species level
D4 - at current taxonomic resolution most taxa appear cosmopolitan, not likely at species level
D5 - relative abundance known at aggregate level, may be adequate, knowable at species level with new genetic tools
D6 - relative abundance known at aggregate level, may be adequate, knowable at species level with new genetic tools
D7 - assumed to be simple, but largely unknown
D8 - assumed to be simple, but largely unknown
D9 - known at aggregate level (total productivity), across small and large phytoplankton. Size-fractionated or species-specific productivity unknown! Total productivity may be adequate and has high spatial resolution thanks to satellite observations. Subsurface productivity poorly known but may be relatively small
D10 - known at aggregate level (total productivity). Size-fractionated or species-specific productivity unknown! Total productivity may be adequate and has high spatial resolution thanks to satellite observations. Subsurface productivity poorly known but may be relatively small (estimated at less than 10-20% of total). Fewer in-situ observations in oceanic areas
D11 - spatial and temporal variability is known from satellite observations at aggregate level (small + large phytopl), assumed to be less for small phytoplankton
D12 - less variable in oceanic env.??

E4 - many transient, rare forms, not adequately sampled due to high temporal variability
E5 - abundance estimates usually based on Chl. A, which includes small and large phytoplankton
E6 - abundance estimates usually based on Chl. A, which includes small and large phytoplankton; poorly known due to undersampling and high variability
E7 - unknown for many species; important issue for HAB species; knowable; genetic typing would be useful
E8 - may be unknowable, not adequately sampled due to high variability in time and space
E9 - known at aggregate level (total productivity). Size-fractionated or species-specific productivity unknown! Total productivity may be adequate and has high spatial resolution thanks to satellite observations. Subsurface productivity poorly known but may be relatively small
E10 - known at aggregate level (total productivity). Size-fractionated or species-specific productivity unknown! Total productivity may be adequate and has high spatial resolution thanks to satellite observations. Subsurface productivity poorly known but may be relatively small (estimated at less than 10-20% of total); fewer in-situ observations in oceanic areas
E11 - spatial and temporal variability is known from satellite observations at aggregate level

F4 - distribution of hard-shell forms well described by paleontologists
F7 - may not be necessary to know detailed life history
F8 - may not be necessary to know detailed life history

G1 - stock structure unknowable or absent (not considered)
G2 - gaps in deeper ocean
G4 - general distribution known, not small-scale distribution
G6 - due to lack of sampling, less information below 150m
G7 - well known in many locations for abundant taxa, poorly known for others
G8 - well known in many locations for abundant taxa, poorly known for others
G9 - few estimates that may not be representative, practically unknowable, barrring new technology
G10 - few estimates that may not be representative, practically unknowable, barring new technology; less sampling than in coastal ocean; lack of adequate time series
G11 - magnitude of variability known for some ragions/species
G12 - magnitude of variability unknown for most regions / almost all species

H1 - known by experts, but not widely known, # of experts small and declining
H3 - not known for many forms due to gear selectivity and extreme patchiness
H4 - not known for most forms due to gear selectivity and extreme patchiness & lack of sampling
H5 - not sampled quantitatively, extreme patchiness, extreme temporal variability
H6 - not sampled quantitatively, extreme patchiness, extreme temporal variability
H7 - probably specialist knowledge?? Known for few species
H8 - probably special knowledge?? Known for few species
H11 - known to be extremely high, both spatially and temporally, causes largely unknown; unknowable??
H12 - known to be extremely high

I1 - species level, stock level not considered; better known for macrofauna & macroalgae, poorly known for meiofauna
I3 - substrate associations and distribution of substrates known in many cases
I5 - relative abundances known for macrofauna where surveys have been conducted
I11 - natural variability known for surveyed areas, vulnerable to disturbance, but effects of disturbance unknown
I12 - assumed to be low, but unknown

J1 - known at species level, not at stock level
J2 - known at species level, not at stock level
J4 - general distributional range known for many species, but poorly known in most cases due to sparse, selective sampling
J5 - known in areas where surveys have been done, but no surveys in many regions, unknown for many species
J6 - known in few cases where surveys have been done, but most species poorly sampled by standard sampling gear, best information for epipelagics, least for bathypelagics
J11 - more information in areas with surveys, but generally poorly known

K1 - known at species level, not at stock level for most species (except salmonids)
K2 - known at species level, not at stock level
K5 - relative abundances known, but quantitative estimates may be poor
K6 - relative abundances known, but quantitative estimates may be poor
K7 - known for most species, but life history stages of many species poorly known
K8 - known for most species, but life history stages of many species poorly known
K11 - we know magnitude of variability, but not the causes

L1 - known at species level and "stock" level
L3 - better known than for most species due to return to land; fine scale distribution at sea not as well as known
L5 - known for some species, unknown for most species, but knowable and estimates exist for most
L6 - known for some species, unknown for most species, but knowable and estimates exist for most
L9 - numerous colonies monitored, but unknown for most places / species
L10 - numerous colonies monitored, but unknown for most places / species

M1 - known at species level, not at stock level
M2 - known at species level, not at stock level
M3 - poorly known for some species, mostly known
M4 - poorly known for some species, mostly known
M6 - not well known for some extra / regions
M10 - cetaceans better known in western than eastern Pacific, known for more abundant species
M11 - regular surveys for more abundant species, no surveys for most rare species
M12 - few repeated observations, observed for many years but few generations, variability related to generation time