Initial Science Plan U . S . Global Ocean Ecosystems Dynamics Report

................................................................................................................... ii PRELUDE....................................................................................................................... iv I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................ 1 A. Rationale ........................................................................................................ 1 B. Guidance From the Scientific Community..................................................... 1 C. Progress and Plans for Major Program Elements........................................... 2 1. Modeling ............................................................................................. 2 2. Field Studies Combining Modeling/Observation ............................... 2 3. Technology.......................................................................................... 4 II. WHAT IS GLOBEC — RATIONALE..................................................................... 5 A. Global Change and Marine Ecosystems ........................................................ 5 B. Physical-biological Coupling and Impacts of Global Change ....................... 5 C. Components of GLOBEC's Approach ........................................................... 7 D. Physical Processes of Most Significance to GLOBEC .................................. 9 1. Turbulence .......................................................................................... 10 2. Fronts .................................................................................................. 11 3. Cross-shelf Transport .......................................................................... 12 4. Large Scale Ocean Circulation ........................................................... 13 III. MAJOR ELEMENTS OF THE PROGRAM........................................................... 15 A. Modeling ........................................................................................................ 15 1. Simplification and Predictability ........................................................ 16 2. Biological Processes in Idealized Flows ............................................. 17 3. Site-specific Models............................................................................ 18 B. Field Studies ................................................................................................... 19 1. Criteria for Site Selection.................................................................... 19 2. Northwest Atlantic Study .................................................................... 22 3. Pacific Basin Study ............................................................................. 24 4. Indian Ocean Study -Arabian Sea Response Initiative ..................... 28 5. Antarctic Study ................................................................................... 30 6. Other Field Studies.............................................................................. 33 C. Technology Development .............................................................................. 34 1. Background Information ..................................................................... 34 2. Proposed Instrumentation ................................................................... 36 IV. Implementation of GLOBEC Plans .......................................................................... 44 A. Management Role of Funding Agencies ..................................................... 44 B. International Planning .................................................................................... 44 C. Relationships With Other Programs and Initiatives ....................................... 45 1. U.S. Programs ..................................................................................... 45 2. International Programs ........................................................................ 48 D. Organization and Function of the Steering Committee.................................. 49 V. REFERENCES........................................................................................................... 51 VI. APPENDICES .......................................................................................................... 59 A. History of Planning Efforts for GLOBEC ..................................................... 59 1. Planning Processes Leading Up To GLOBEC ................................... 59 2. Planning Efforts Explicitly for GLOBEC ........................................... 63 B. GLOBEC Steering Committee Membership and Addresses ......................... 65