The Ocean in a Changing World Contents

No. 73, April 2009

The Global Change NewsLetter is the quarterly newsletter of the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP). IGBP is a programme of global change research, sponsored by the International Council for Science.

Compliant with Nordic www.igbp.net Ecolabelling criteria.

Oceanic Projects and Programmes IGBP and big observational campaigns...... 4

SOLAS and Cape Verde scientists establish an atmosphere and ocean observatory off North West Africa...... 6

GLOBEC: ten years of research...... 9

Three IMBER imbizo workshops on ecological and biogeochemical interactions...... 12

New developments in marine ecosystem research: recommendations for IMBER II...... 14

Global change and the coastal zone: c urrent LOICZ science activities...... 16

Working groups of the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR)...... 18

The Ocean in a High-CO2 World: The Second Symposium on Ocean Acidification...... 22

Science highlights from the symposium Reef development in a high-CO2 world...... 24 High vulnerability of eastern boundary upwelling systems ...... 25 Changes in the carbonate system of the global oceans...... 25 Salmon pHishing in the North Pacific Ocean...... 26 Consequences of ocean acidification for fisheries...... 26 Impact of ocean acidification on underwater sound...... 27 The early development of oysters...... 27

Low winter CaCO3 saturation in the Baltic Sea...... 28 Mechanisms linking climate to ecosystem change...... 28 Impact of ocean acidification on marine snails and deep-sea corals...... 29

Natural CO2 vents reveal ecological tipping points...... 30 From the lab to models...... 30 Economic impacts of ocean acidification...... 31 Ocean acidification: connecting the science to policy...... 31

IGBP Network News...... 32

Cover photo: Arne Körtzinger, IFM-GEOMAR, Kiel/Germany Recovery of a sediment trap from a long-term mooring at the Cape Verde Ocean Time Series site (tenatso.ifm-geomar.de, see article page 6) on the French ship L’Atalante in February 2008 as part of the German SOPRAN project (sopran.pangaea.de).

Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 Editorial

Ocean science towards Continuous observations over time are fundamental informed decisions for identifying and understanding global changes and SOLAS is working to improve global coverage of time- series stations. The Cape Verde Observatory (p. 6) is an example that combines both atmospheric and ocean measurements, supported by a consortium of national funding agencies. It not only brings international scientists and funding to this remote island, but the project is committed to improving facilities and training local scientists, who are integrated into the management and operation of the project from the start. The new Chair of the Land-Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone (LOICZ) Project, Alice Newton, invites collaboration in the case-study approach to understanding coastal problems and in creating solutions and tools for policy makers (p.17). Most of IGBP’s marine activities over the decades have been conducted in close collaboration with the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR, p.18). SCOR provides invaluable scientific guidance and helps creates opportunities for our joint activities. The 2008 Symposium on the Ocean in a High-CO2 World is an example of a The role of the ocean in regulating climate change successful collaboration, which brought together scien- is now recognised as being critical. But there are conse- tists from SOLAS, IMBER, GLOBEC, LOICZ, PAGES and quences for marine ecosystems and human livelihoods. beyond to present the latest results on ocean acidifica- IGBP scientists are at the forefront of research, tackling tion and its consequences. Highlights of the Symposium how both climate change and other global changes – such include scientific, economic and policy perspectives and as fishing, loss of biodiversity and nutrient deposition to are presented in this issue (p. 24 onwards). name a few – interact. One of our objectives is to provide The Symposium participants produced the Monaco scientific knowledge upon which informed decisions can Declaration (see article p. 20), which called for urgent be made to minimise impacts on the Earth System. action to limit damages to marine ecosystems due to This edition of the Global Change NewsLetter allows increasing ocean acidity. The Symposium and Declaration, readers to wet their feet and sample marine results from with the support of Prince Albert of Monaco, received across IGBP core projects. Ian Perry and Manuel Barange wide media coverage on the consequences for marine (p. 9) introduce the Global Ocean Ecosystem Dynamics systems and the need to urgently reduce CO2 emissions. (GLOBEC) analysis of marine socio-ecological systems A Summary for Policymakers has also been prepared, and describe how human communities and marine designed to influence the political decisions being made, ecosystems are intimately connected and offering policy above all, at the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to options for adapting to changes. Fish to microbes are the the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate focus of an article from the Integrated Marine Biogeo- Change being held in Denmark this coming December. chemistry and Ecosystem Research leadership (IMBER, This conference will meet to decide on a future agreement p. 12 ). The end-to-end food webs approach paves the way for greenhouse gas emission reductions. for integration of scientific questions from GLOBEC into IMBER at the end of this year when GLOBEC reaches its Wendy Broadgate conclusion (see John Field, p. 14). Deputy Director, Natural Sciences, IGBP Testing hypotheses such as the feedback between and ocean ecosystems and climate requires large, coordinated Sybil Seitzinger field campaigns. IGBP projects such as the Surface Ocean Executive Director, IGBP – Lower Atmosphere Study (SOLAS) have planned experiments to test such hypotheses. Barry Huebert questions whether the funding mechanisms to implement these ambitious experiments are adequate. (p. 4).

Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 3 Oceanic Projects and Programmes

ship time, this is no guarantee IGBP and big that any of its participants will be funded. This makes it difficult to observational campaigns assure that even the most critical B. Huebert observations can be made. The VOCALS programme (Ocean-Cloud-Atmosphere- Land Study, under the aegis of How successful have IGBP proj- off, leaving just (very good) the Variability of the American ects been at bringing together studies of atmospheric sulphur Monsoon Systems) is an excel- international groups to do chemistry. The cross-disciplinary lent example. This is a study observation programmes that linkages rarely appeal to disci- in the South East Pacific of no one nation could manage? pline-oriented reviewers and linkages between ocean heat International collaboration on programme managers. budgets and mixing, upwelled big programmes certainly helps Projects from both the IGBP nutrients, marine biota, aero- bring more people into the and the World Climate Research sols, clouds, and radiative enterprise and has unequivocal Programme (WCRP) make plans transfer. It could have been benefits for scientists in coun- for observations by groups from the ideal IGBP/WCRP collab- tries that lack the resources to many countries. Unfortunately, orative programme (initiated by create their own Science Plan, one can never be sure in advance CLIVAR – Climate Variability but are the overarching goals which of these groups will be and Predictability), in which all achieved? Certainly the devel- funded to participate, so imple- the related programmes (the opment of stationary facili- mentation plans can’t include WCRP working group on surface ties (Mace Head, Large-scale strategies that depend on having fluxes, and the IGBP projects: Biosphere Atmosphere Experi- any one group or platform. SOLAS studying the surface ment in Amazonia towers, Cape Any programme officer in any ocean-lower atmosphere inter- Verde – see following article by country, whether well-informed face, IGAC addressing global D. Wallace – and other research or not, can decline a grant for atmospheric chemistry, and sites) has facilitated observa- critical participating groups or IMBER that investigates marine tions by international groups. platforms. The experiment plan- biogeochemistry and ecosys- Both the IGAC science plan ners are at the mercy of review- tems, etc.) could find issues their addressing global atmospheric ers, panelists, and programme community could address. So chemistry, and the SOLAS managers, many of whom have, that is what was written into the science plan examining the by choice, not worked in this Science Plan and Implementa- ocean surface and the lower field recently. Since many agen- tion Strategy: we will all go to atmosphere, have talked about cies conduct their assessments the South East Pacific together, testing the CLAW Hypothesis in secrecy from those planners, testing portions of the CLAW (Figure 1). This hypothesis some judgments will inevitably Hypothesis, studying the factors proposes a feedback loop that be poorly informed. that control air-sea exchange, operates between ocean ecosys- In the US, the National and connecting biogenic gas tems and the Earth’s climate, Science Foundation is most emissions to the particles on connecting marine biota to likely to support biogeochemi- which cloud droplets condense. DMS fluxes, aerosols and cloud cal research. Most programme SOLAS was actively involved properties. Yet in almost two managers take the view that in organizing VOCALS: partici- decades of experiments, we only peer-review can determine pating in planning meetings; have never managed to get funding, to the exclusion of writing plans, brochures, coordinated studies of each unified planning. Even though presentations, and platform of the critical parts funded. In an experiment goes through requests; organizing informa- IGAC programmes, the marine extensive reviews of its science tional meetings; and pitching biological work always got cut plan to be awarded aircraft or participation in VOCALS during

4 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 every talk possible. There was mentation strategy described profiles could not support budget real enthusiasm as planners and the role of each, but had to studies of sulphur gases and their constituencies thought be worded so that the loss of aerosols, so the SOLAS obser- of participating in a grander any one group or platform vations and the aerosol/cloud enterprise than any one could would not jeopardize funding studies evolved into coincident- do alone. Ancillary groups also for the folks who were able to but-independent experiments. took this bait, no doubt in part get resources to do their part. VOCALS Rex went into because the scientific justifica- Everything and everyone had the field in the fall of 2008 as tion had already been written. to appear expendable. planned. Some very successful Anything they do would be Happily, NOAA made the SOLAS-inspired experiments enhanced by proximity to the R/V Ronald H. Brown avail- were conducted. Many valuable larger VOCALS programme. able for VOCALS. However, insights are emerging, especially In a big programme, each a second ship could not be with regard to the relation- platform has its niche: the funded, so the Brown had ships between ocean dynamics, oceanographic questions of to split its time between the biology, and dimethyl sulphide nutrient upwelling, mixing, surveying and stationary strate- chemistry on sub-kilometer eddies, and heat transport in gies. The good news is that one scales. CLAW will have to wait VOCALS would be best studied set of biological productivity again. The IGBP-type interdisci- using a continuously-moving observations was made from the plinary objectives that got many ship, doing butterfly patterns Ronald H. Brown, alongside eddy of us excited about VOCALS and pulling a SeaSoar that could correlation DMS flux measure- could not be achieved. Again. profile throughout the mixed ments: some SOLAS-inspired This same problem plagues layer. Atmospheric measure- biology and flux measurements many IGBP programmes: ments, cloud radars, and gas survived the funding process. without some agency that is fluxes would be best measured Unfortunately, neither oxidants, willing to agree in advance to from a (nearly) stationary ship, NO, nor OH was measured, so fund a coherent set of observa- pointed into the wind so that the programme could not obser- tions and platforms, certain flow distortions are minimized. vationally be able to constrain essential measurements will Airmass mixing, in situ particles, the photochemical link between inevitably come up against an photochemical budgets, and the measured DMS fluxes and oppositional reviewer or other entrainment of free-tropospheric the growth of aerosols that obstacle, and not be funded. air would be best studied from control the clouds. Furthermore, Many valuable studies will be long-range aircraft. The imple- the cloud-oriented C-130 flight done, but the discipline-connecting goals that motivate these large programmes often are not. This problem may be too much for the International Group of Funding Agencies for Global Environmental Change (IGFA) to resolve. We have the scientific interest and the observational tools to test the CLAW hypothesis, for instance, but we still lack the institutional ones. This is a challenge IGBP must address if we are ever to test our most significant conceptual models against observations on the necessary scales. Barry Huebert Former SOLAS SSC Member Department of Oceanography University of Hawaii Honolulu, HI 96822 USA A schematic diagram of the CLAW hypothesis of Robert Charlson, James Lovelock, [email protected] Meinrat Andreae and Stephen Warren (1986), Nature, 32:655-66 (Reproduced with permission)

Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 5 the economies of coastal nations. The Surface Ocean-Lower • the intensity and extent of Atmosphere Study (SOLAS) oceanic oxygen minimum zones with consequences for higher trophic levels as well as for oceanic nutrient budgets A lack of SOLAS and Cape Verde scientists infrastructure establish an atmosphere and ocean Despite their significance for, observatory off North West Africa and sensitivity to, global change D. Wallace the tropical ocean and atmosphere are remarkably little studied, especially for biological The tropical ocean mineral dust of the world ocean. and chemical processes. Many and atmosphere The associated input of iron, tropical nations are unable to and possibly other elements, afford the sophisticated scientific The tropics play a critical role in stimulates ocean nitrogen fixa- infrastructure, equipment and the Earth System. Their impor- tion. Further, the tropical oceans training required for modern tance for weather and climate is play host to the key regions of climate, ocean and atmospheric exemplified by the generation of low oxygen in today’s ocean research. Even research infra- hurricanes, the significance of El (“oxygen minimum zones”). structure to study marine Niño for global weather patterns Major changes to sources and ecosystems remains limited for and inter-annual climate vari- sinks of important nutrients many tropical waters, despite ability, and the effect of tropical (N, P, Fe) occur when oceanic decades of heavy fishing by Atlantic sea surface temperature oxygen concentrations decrease richer nations. Sophisticated on rainfall in drought-threat- below threshold levels. These atmospheric measurement ened sub-Saharan Africa (Sahel). spatially limited zones impact stations, science logistic bases The tropics are truly a “weather- nutrient budgets, biological and fishery research laboratories factory” for the planet. productivity, greenhouse gas now exist throughout the richer The tropical atmosphere is production and CO2-fixation of countries of Europe, North also our planetary “waste incin- the global ocean. Tropical oceans America and Asia as well as in erator”: here, high concentrations are the “fertilizer plant” for the uninhabited ice-covered regions of the OH radical are maintained, world ocean. of the world. They remain rare cleaning the atmosphere of All these critical, natural in the tropics. pollutants as well as certain key processes in both the ocean and Origins of the Cape greenhouse gases (e.g. methane). the atmosphere are highly sensi- These gases are delivered from tive to temperature, sunlight Verde Observatory sources in the north and south and wind, (i.e. to climate). Since 2002, a team of scientists and are destroyed in the tropics. from Germany, the UK and Tropical winds on western Vulnerabilities Cape Verde have been work- sides of continents drive upwell- Climate change in the tropics, ing to address this problem. ing of nutrient-rich subsurface both natural and anthropogenic, The problem of lack of data and waters and fuel the ocean’s food has the potential to alter: logistical difficulties for global chain. Eastern sides of tropical • the intensity and frequency change research in the West oceans sustain some of the most of El Niño and the African African coastal region was recog- productive and economically monsoon with further conse- nized in 2002 simultaneously by important fisheries on Earth quences for climate change; Doug Wallace (of the Leibniz- (e.g. off Peru and Mauritania). • the rate at which pollutants Institute for Marine Sciences in The upwelling zones of the and greenhouse gases accu- Kiel, and now SOLAS Chair) tropical oceans are, in effect, mulate in the atmosphere; and Martin Heimann (of the vast, natural “fish farms”. • upwelling and marine food Max-Planck-Institut für Biogeo- The tropical Atlantic Ocean chains with consequences for chemie in Jena). They asked receives the largest input of food supply and, especially, the Volkswagen Foundation to

6 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 Cape Verde and decided to visit the island of São Vicente, Cape Verde, themselves. They recognized that this island location was ideal for the needs of UK SOLAS. The UK initiative could be combined with a new German research initiative SOPRAN (Surface Ocean Processes in the Anthropocene) which is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (www. sopran.pangaea.de). The Cape Verde Observatory was more or less born at that time with trilat- eral support from Germany, the UK and Cape Verde linked via support from a European Union project (www.tenatso.com). What is the Cape Verde Observatory? The Observatory has an atmospheric and an oceanic site, both based on or near the island of São Vicente. The atmospheric site, the “Cape Verde Atmo- spheric Observatory Humberto Duarte Fonseca”, named in honor of a Cape Verdean clima- tologist of the last century, was selected on the windward side

Photo credit: Doug Wallace, IFM-GEOMAR Doug Wallace, Photo credit: of the island on an ancient lava

The research boat Islandia travels between the port of Mindelo, Cape Verde, and the field, close to the ocean. Here, atmospheric observatory on São Vincente. steady NE trade winds bring air directly from the ocean to the measurement systems without support a workshop to explore especially in long-term observa- risk of land-based contamina- the potential of Cape Verde to tion, could be compatible with tion. A road was built, power support long-term observation. Cape Verdean needs for scientific lines and a 30m high sampling The workshop was hosted by capacity with which to better tower were constructed. Custom two Cape Verde institutions understand pressures on their laboratories housed within ship- and revealed a cadre of highly own fragile environment. ping containers, were installed. motivated scientists within Cape At this point, the interna- There are presently five container Verde’s National Institute for tional connectedness of modern labs on the site, contributed by Meteorology and Geophysics (for science played a key role. A groups from the Universities of the atmosphere) and National new SOLAS initiative in the UK York and Leeds, the Max-Planck- Institute for the Development (funded by the Natural Environ- Institute in Jena and the Leib- of Fisheries (for the ocean). The ment Research Council) was niz-Institute for Tropospheric local scientists explained their considering establishment of Research in Leipzig. The labs needs to the visiting Euro- a long-term field site. Dr. Lucy house a wide variety of sophisti- pean scientists. The Europeans Carpenter of the University of cated instrumentation that makes explained their needs. It became York and Dr. Phil Williamson continuous measurements of clear that European interests of the University of East Anglia trace gases, greenhouse gases in global change research, and had heard about the workshop in and aerosols as well as meteo-

Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 7 Photo credit: Ally Lewis, University of York Photo credit:

Cape Verde Atmospheric Observatory “Humberto Duarte Fonseca” on the island of São Vicente, Cape Verde. rological parameters. A wind to a newly-equipped laboratory Cape Verdean Masters and PhD turbine was recently installed to ashore for processing. students in the context of the supplement the power supply Both sites are being devel- scientific projects associated with for the site. oped to support visits of the Observatory. The project The ocean site is located scientists interested in study- partners view the long-term 40 nautical miles “upwind” of ing tropical atmospheric and commitment to science in the the atmospheric site in a water oceanic processes in the context region as an excellent opportu- depth of 3700 m. It is now of a long-term data set. The sites nity for capacity building: not visited regularly with the small are also nested within interna- just for Cape Verdeans but also Cape Verde research vessel Islan- tional observation programmes for other West African nations. dia, which has been completely such as the Global Atmospheric The key is to establish long-term rebuilt for the task. Continuous Watch and OceanSITES. scientific interests and capabili- measurements are made from Training, education ties which sustain a commitment an oceanographic mooring from international scientists to which was established in June and capacity building work closely with their regional 2006 as well as from unmanned The Observatory has already partners. In addition to devel- gliders and floats deployed trained and employed four Cape opment of education, consid- around the mooring. Every Verdean site-managers and eration is being given to use of few days these autonomous technicians. Increasingly, Cape the port of Mindelo and Obser- platforms come to the surface Verdean scientists are becom- vatory-associated facilities as a and relay their most recent ing involved in site operations logistics centre for the support data via satellite to shore before and the associated science. In of international research activi- returning on their mission. 2007, the Observatory hosted ties in the region (e.g. research The mooring and autonomous a major atmospheric research vessel support). systems provide long-term data campaign involving long-term Douglas Wallace for basic parameters such as stays by scientists from Europe SOLAS SSC Chair temperature, salinity, chloro- and North America. Research Chemische Ozeanographie phyll fluorescence, turbidity, vessels from the USA, Nether- FB Marine Biogeochemie Leibniz-Institut für dissolved oxygen and dissolved lands, Germany, France and the Meereswissenschaften (IFM-GEOMAR) CO2. More complex biological UK now sample the ocean site and chemical measurements and visit it regularly. Efforts are Kiel, Germany email: [email protected] rely on water sampling from the underway to finance gradu- Islandia. Samples are returned ate training opportunities for

8 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 These impacts will be most Global Ocean Ecosystem acute at the extremes of species’ ranges and for shorter-lived Dynamics (GLOBEC) species. Changes in abundance will, in turn, alter the species composition of marine communities, which is likely to affect the structure and productivity Ten years of research of these ecosystems. At longer time scales (multi-decadal), the R. I. Perry and M. Barange predicted impacts of climate changes depend upon changes The international Global Ocean has also contributed to marine to the net primary production Ecosystem Dynamics (GLOBEC) policy and management debates in the oceans and its transfer to project, a core project of IGBP, by providing conceptual under- higher trophic levels. Current the Scientific Committee on standing of how ecosystems models show high variability in Oceanic Research (SCOR) and respond to global changes, results and so all these predic- the Intergovernmental Oceanic and by providing tools which tions have low confidence. Commission (IOC), reaches the incorporate uncertainties caused Overall, the responses of wind- end of its more than ten years of by climate-driven variability. driven upwelling ecosystems, intensive research at the end of Marine ecosystems (which which are the most productive 2009. This short article provides can be called marine social- per unit area, to global climate an overview of GLOBEC studies ecological systems when they change are the most uncertain of marine biophysical systems, include humans) are expected because the effects on their wind their associated human systems, to be significantly affected by forcing lack predictability. and on the interactions between the interactive combination of Marine social-ecological these systems and global climate change, over-exploita- systems, however, are impacted changes. It also points towards tion of resources, and habitat by other changes occurring at some of the tools and policy disruption. global and local scales in addi- options needed for humans to General impacts on marine tion to climate: these include begin adapting to these changes. systems as a result of large-scale intensive fishing and habitat changes related to temperature, disruption. A key conclusion Marine ecosystems winds, and acidification can be [2] is that modern research and and global change: predicted, in some cases with a management of such marine towards policy high degree of confidence [1]. systems must take account of options for human At “rapid” time scales (a few the interactions between climate, years) there is high confidence fishing, and habitat disruptions adaptations that increasing temperatures rather than try to disentangle The goal of GLOBEC has will result in changes in distri- their effects and address each been to advance understanding butions of marine species. separately – hence the evolved of the structure and function Changes in the timing of life emphasis on global change of the global ocean ecosystem, history events, such as the rather than climate change its major subsystems, and its timing of reproduction, are also alone. In the biophysical (non- responses to physical forcing expected, with short life span human) sub-system, climate so as to develop a capability to species such as plankton, squid, conditions and circulation affect forecast the responses of marine and small pelagic fishes being the physical characteristics of ecosystems to global change. the most quickly affected. At the regional and local ocean, GLOBEC accomplishments intermediate time scales (a few which influence the productivity include advancing knowledge years to a decade), tempera- of the upper ocean and ulti- on marine ecosystems, physi- ture-mediated physiological mately the production of fish. cal and anthropogenic forcings, stresses and further changes In the human sub-system, the and improved understanding of to life history processes will impacts of global and national physical, biological, and human impact the recruitment success markets, capital and labour, interactions with changing and therefore the abundances and legal agreements flow marine environments. GLOBEC of many marine populations. through successively smaller

Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 9 Characteristics and processes within the biophysical and human sub-systems of marine social-ecological systems, and their connections. Predominant connections between the biophysical (non-human) sub- system and the human sub-system occur at large scales (regional to global) and at the local scales (local to region) at which fish production and distributions interact with fishing. Solid arrows represent stronger interactions; dashed arrows represent weaker effects.

10 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 spatial and lower organisational systems to be more flexible explicit recognition of their scales from region, community, and to adapt more quickly uncertainties in such a world of fishing fleet and household to to variability, whereas these change. Although the details of individual vessels and fishers. same changes may reduce the a future under climate change It is the fishing vessels, fishing adaptive capacities of human remain unknown, the outlines of gear, the target species selected systems. To achieve sustainabil- appropriate adaptive responses by fishers (in the human sub- ity, marine resource managers for managing human interac- system) and the production must develop approaches which tions with marine ecosystems and distribution of fish (in the maintain the resilience of indi- are becoming evident. biophysical sub-system) that viduals, populations, commu- R. Ian Perry interact most directly [3] (see nities and ecosystems to the GLOBEC Chair figure). More diffuse interac- combined and interacting effects Fisheries and Oceans Canada Pacific Biological Station tions between sub-systems do of climate, fishing, and habitat Nanaimo, BC, Canada. occur at other levels, ranging disruptions. Overall, a less- email: [email protected] from local impacts of point- heavily fished marine system, source contaminant releases and one which shifts the focus Manuel Barange to larger-scale impacts such from individual species to func- Director GLOBEC International Project Office as anoxic “dead zones”. But, tional groups and fish commu- Plymouth Marine Laboratory along with acidification, it is nities, is likely to provide more Plymouth, UK intensive fishing which has the sustainable goods and services email: [email protected] global reach. Fishing reduces when faced with climate vari- the life span, reduces the age ability and change than would a at maturity, and reduces the heavily fished system. “richness” (numbers) of distinct When faced with the inter- References marine populations. These acting challenges of these global 1. Barange M and Perry R I. In press. Physical and ecological impacts of changes combine, in sometimes changes, a marine social- climate change relevant to marine and inland capture fisheries and surprising ways, to alter marine ecological systems approach aquaculture. FAO Fisheries Techni- populations, marine communi- to the management of marine cal Paper. ties, and marine ecosystems and resources is needed. Such an 2. Perry R I, Cury P, Brander K, Jen- nings S, Möllmann C, and Planque to bring them into states which approach should involve all B. In press. Sensitivity of marine track climate forcing more scales from local fishing sectors systems to climate and fishing: concepts, issues and management closely. to regional and national govern- responses. Journal of Marine Sys- From the human side, how ments in order to identify soci- tems. 3. Perry R I, Ommer R, Sumaila R, human communities respond to etal choices and to set objectives, Allison E, Barange M, Hamilton L, marine ecosystem variability can which would include ecological, Badjeck M-C and Jarre A (2009) Interactions between changes in ameliorate or exacerbate these economic and social consider- marine ecosystems and human changes [3]. At shorter time ations [4]. Clear objectives need communities. In: Barange M, Field J, Harris R, Hofmann E, Perry R I, scales, coping responses by both to be established recognising Werner C (eds). Global Change and human and non-human marine that the future may not be like Marine Ecosystems. Oxford Uni- versity Press, Oxford. systems have common elements, the past. This will require iden- 4. Barange M, O’Boyle R, Cochrane such as searching harder for tifying the appropriate scales K, Fogarty M, Jarre A, Kell L, King J, de Moor C, Reid K, Sin- prey, searching in new locations (temporal, spatial, and organisa- clair M and Yatsu A (2009) Marine perhaps farther from home (and tional) and down- and up-scal- resources management in the face of change: from ecosystem sci- with greater exposure to preda- ing effects for both the problems ence to ecosystem-based man- tors or poor weather), diversi- and the solutions, identifying agement. In: Barange M, Field J, Harris R, Hofmann E, Perry R I, C. fying to other sources of food, indicators and reference points Werner (eds). Global Change and and migration. At longer time for all the sectors expected to be Marine Ecosystems. Oxford Uni- versity Press, Oxford. scales, however, many adaptive impacted, close collaborations responses by human communi- with multiple stakeholders, and ties, such as networking, skills monitoring for unanticipated upgrading, political action, and surprises in other sectors and at closure of the community, have other scales. Decision support no analogues in non-human tools and rules which evalu- marine ecosystems. Such global ate their performance need to changes can drive non-human be established, which include

Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 11 IMBER, as GLOBEC comes to an Integrated Marine Biogeochemistry end, is to develop the interdisciplinary integration capacity, and Ecosystem Research (IMBER) linking scientists with interest in biogeochemistry and food web operation, while account- ing for the complexity of oceanic ecosystems. This emphasis Three IMBER imbizo workshops on eco- on integration requires both a major shift in thinking and a logical and biogeochemical interactions stronger focus on the perennial J. Hall, D. Hansell, G. Herndl, C. Moloney, E. Murphy, M. issues of ensuring iterative links Roman, H. Saito, D. Steinberg between modelling and observation programmes and maintain- ing multidisciplinary teams. An imbizo, in the Zulu language, end food web — or e2e for short Developing a range of analysis is a forum for enhancing — have led to broad definitions and modelling approaches will dialogue and interaction. It that are equivalent to the widely be crucial, with a requirement defines the IMBER approach to used definition of an ecosystem. for comparison based on both it’s first set of three concurrent The term e2e has brought general ecosystem properties interacting workshops held in attention to the complexity of (e.g. size structure and patterns Miami in November 2008. The the interactions involved in of energy flow) as well as workshops covered Ecological food-webs. Dealing with that specific metrics (e.g. productiv- and Biogeochemical Interactions complexity was recognised early ity, harvesting yield or stoichio- in (a) End-to-End Food Webs, (b) in the workshop as probably metric balance). the Mesopelagic Zone and (c) the the central challenge we face. Bathypelagic Zone. Each work- The importance of and therefore The Mesopelagic shop was structured to provide a the need to consider the emer- Zone synthesis of current knowledge gent properties of food webs and key questions for future generated through complex The mesopelagic zone, between research within IMBER. The interactions at a wide range depths of about 100 and 1000 m, workshops had common plenary, of scales. The meeting also is a zone of significant decom- poster and summary sessions. demonstrated that many of the position, recycling, and major issues faced in e2e analy- repackaging of particulate and End-to-End Food ses are already being tackled dissolved organic matter. The Webs by groups working on a range interplay between biological and of regional systems. The major geochemical processes in this There is increasing recognition scientific task is now one of inte- zone has significant effects on that analyses of biogeochemical gration, building on previous the magnitude of the biological cycles, climate impacts and the and ongoing regional analyses pump, which regulates in part effects of exploitation in ocean and detailed process studies. atmospheric carbon dioxide and ecosystems requires the devel- Comparative studies between hence can impact climate. While opment of integrated views of regional systems such as the important processes regulating food web operation. With this Arctic-Antarctic and Benguela- organic matter transformations focus on integration, a new term Humboldt are also emerging and remineralization in the has appeared – analysing the and global comparisons of mesopelagic zone can be tightly end-to-end operation of food-webs ecosystem structure and func- coupled with the euphotic zone, – encompassing the concept of tion are being developed. At the time and space scales of linking food web operation from the same time, generic models these processes are different in microbial systems (that domi- (e.g. based on size or simplified the mesopelagic zone, which is nate the carbon flows in marine functional group representa- critical to predicting the ability systems) through to the highest tions) are being applied globally of the biological pump to seques- trophic level species that may or as standard model frame- ter carbon in the deep ocean. also be subject to exploitation. works parameterised for differ- The aim of the workshop was Attempts to define the end-to- ent regions. The challenge for to identify the current state of

12 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 our knowledge about meso- processes). The location of The Bathypelagic pelagic food-web processes, future studies may include time- Zone particle flux and dynamics, and series sites, places of contrast, biogeochemical cycling, and sites with strong gradients and The bathypelagic zone is one of to identify gaps in our knowl- where effects of global change the great unexplored realms of edge. The workshop addressed are large. Spatial and temporal the global ocean. The biological the following topics: particulate variability must be considered. pump connects surface processes and dissolved organic matter It was also recommended that to the deepest ocean layers, where (POM and DOM) distribution, species or functional groups biological processes occur at very characterization, and flux; should be the focus. In addition low rates relative to the upper planktonic food web controls to measuring stocks, mecha- ocean. With deep ocean residence on vertical transport, cycling, nisms need to be understood times at centennial to millennial and composition of POM and to contribute to mechanistic scales in time and global scales in DOM; linking microbial and models. Characterization of space, the system is only slowly metazoan diversity to function; physical processes (e.g., lateral ventilated and circulated. Biogeo- ecological and biogeochemi- advection, deep- and mode- chemical signals in the deep cal approaches to estimating water formation) is important ocean are integrative of processes remineralization rates; models; for constraining mesopelagic occurring over very long periods. methods and new technologies; carbon and nutrient budgets. Biological processes in the deepest regional comparisons in food- Technological advances to help ocean layers are intimately tied to web structure and biogeochem- address future challenges in particle dynamics and microbial istry; and potential responses the mesopelagic zone include: food webs, much of which are still of the mesopelagic zone to pressure samplers for measur- only poorly characterized. environmental change. The ing in situ respiration, neutrally The central aim of the work- workshop participants recom- buoyant sediment trap designs, shop was to gather the expertise mended that future research remotely operated vehicles required to identify what is programmes on the mesope- with sampling capabilities, known about this system, and lagic zone should integrate automated underwater vehicles to identify and pursue outstand- across disciplines (chemistry, and floats for increased spatial ing uncertainties. The cross microbiology, ecology, phys- coverage, and underwater section of disciplines represented ics), and throughout water observatories for long-term included biogeochemistry, column (i.e. link with surface monitoring. organic geochemistry, microbial

Changes in fecal pellet types with depth indicate zooplankton repackaging of sinking particles in the mesopelagic zone. This figure shows changes in major types of zooplankton fecal pellets from sediment trap samples from the subtropical Pacific (Hawaii Ocean Time-series, HOT, station ALOHA) and subarctic Pacific (Japanese time series site K2). Scale bar is 500 um: A) heteropod Carinaria sp., B) large copepod or euphuasiid, C) small copepod, D) larvacean, E) Neocalanus spp., F) euphausiid, G) unknown carnivorous zooplankton, H) fecal “fluff”, I) broken pellet [1]

Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 13 dynamics, trace element and relative roles of autotrophic and isotope geochemistry, genomics, heterotrophic processes. The first particle flux and dynamics, and two syntheses will consider the modeling. Presentations on the same deep ocean system, but from biogeochemistry of organic matter the unique perspectives of biogeo- Gerhard Herndl covered composition, structure, chemistry and microbes. Royal Netherlands Institute for distribution, fluxes, reactivity, etc., The presentations from the Sea Research (NIOZ) while those on microbial dynam- imbizo can be found at http:// Den Burg, Netherlands ics considered the turnover of the www.confmanager.com/main. Coleen Moloney organic matter, processes control- cfm?cid=1185 IMBER SSC member University of Cape Town ling microbial abundance, as well Two special issues of Deep Sea Rondebosch, South Africa as deep autotrophic production. Research (Elsevier, The Nether- Three papers are under develop- lands) will be published: The Dark Eugene Murphy IMBER SSC member ment to synthesise our under- Ocean, and End to End Food Webs. British Antarctic Survey, standing of, (i) deep sea microbial These will include both presented Cambridge, UK dynamics, (ii) the biogeochemistry papers and synthesis papers Michael Roman of organic matter and (iii) deep resulting from the workshop IMBER SSC Vice-Chair ocean metabolism, focusing on the discussions. Horn Point Laboratory University of Maryland Julie Hall Cambridge MD, USA IMBER SSC Chair References National Institute of Water and Hiroaki Saito Atmospheric Research Former IMBER SSC member 1. Wilson, S.E., D.K. Steinberg, and Kilbirnie, Wellington, New Zealand Tohoku National Fisheries K.O. Buesseler (2008) Changes in fecal pellet characteristics with [email protected] Research Institute, depth as indicators of zooplank- Fisheries Research Agency, ton repackaging of particles in the Dennis Hansell Shiogama, Japan mesopelagic zone of the subtropi- Former IMBER SSC member cal and subarctic North Pacific Rosenstiel School of Marine and Debbie Steinberg Ocean. Deep-Sea Research II Atmospheric Science Virginia Institute of Marine Science 55(14-15): 1636-1647. University of Miami College of William and Mary Miami, FL, USA Gloucester Pt, VA, USA

research, to date New developments in marine 3. New developments in marine ecosystem science ecosystem research 4. Projects currently within GLOBEC that are planned to continue after 2009 With accelerating global change the urgency of achieving the Recommendations for IMBER II IMBER vision and goal is even J. Field more apparent five years after the IMBER Science Plan was writ- A Transition Task Team has The Team was asked to make ten. The Transition Task Team been set up to recommend to recommendations to SCOR and identified areas that need new or SCOR and IGBP how the second IGBP for a second phase of the renewed emphasis so that IMBER phase of the Integrated Marine biogeochemistry and ecosystem Phase II will achieve its scientific Biogeochemistry and Ecosystem research programme (IMBER) vision and goal, and will build Research programme (IMBER) after 2009, bearing in mind: on the IMBER activities to date. should proceed to accommodate 1. Key new scientific ques- These areas are: new developments in marine tions arising from global • integrating human dimen- ecosystem research that need ocean ecosystems dynamics sions into marine global addressing after the completion research by GLOBEC change research of the Global Ocean Ecosystem 2. Scientific results of IMBER • regional research Dynamics research programme on marine and biogeo- programmes (GLOBEC) at the end of 2009. chemistry and ecosystem • comparative studies

14 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 Transition Task Team members at the National Academy of Science, Washington, DC, December 2008. From left to right: Ken Drinkwater, Qisheng Tang, Roger Harris, Kathleen Miller, John Field (Chair), Eileen Hofmann, Hugh Ducklow, Mike Roman. Inset: Olivier Maury. Absent: Raleigh Hood, who is thanked for his participation on SIBER discussions on 15 December.

within and across regional tional groups North Atlantic comparative programmes, including 7. Integration of human dimen- studies) and Forecasting and ecosystem models that incor- sions in ecosystem models Understanding Trends, Uncer- porate the human dimension 8. Comparative approach tainty and Responses of North • incorporation of emerging between ecosystems Pacific Ecosystems (FUTURE, a scientific themes. 9. Synthesis and modelling. proposed PICES North Pacific The report from the Transition IMBER II will have regional Programme). Task Team, currently undergo- programmes that were not estab- Recommendations are also ing peer-review, lists IMBER lished when the original imple- made with regard to funding, activities to date, outlines some mentation strategy was written. potential sponsors, data manage- GLOBEC science highlights The research approaches listed ment, implementing mechanisms (taken from the GLOBEC above have been adopted and a timetable. synthesis book Marine Ecosystems in several of the regional This report, which includes a and Global Change which will be programmes. In order to achieve draft Implementation Strategy for published by Oxford University global coverage, the Transition a second phase of IMBER (2010- Press in 2009) and lists some Task Team strongly recommend 2014) will form the Appendix emerging scientific issues such that seven regional programmes to the IMBER Science Plan and as CO2 enrichment and ocean be incorporated into IMBER Implementation Strategy (SPIS) acidification, new metabolic and II, provided that they agree which was published by IGBP in biochemical pathways, the role of on terms of reference with the 2005. The Transition Task Team viruses, thresholds and surprises, IMBER SSC. These include Inte- had input from the IMBER and coupled biogeochemical-ecosys- grating Climate and Ecosystem GLOBEC SSCs and the report has tem model projections, and the Dynamics Programme (ICED) been posted on the IMBER and characterization of uncertainty. (Southern Ocean), Sustained GLOBEC websites for community The main recommendations Indian Ocean Biogeochemical comment before peer-review by include a number of research and Ecological Research (SIBER), IGBP and SCOR. approaches that could be adopted CLimate Inpacts on Oceanic Prof. John G. Field in the second phase of IMBER: TOp Predators (CLIOTOP), Former GLOBEC SSC Vice-Chair 1. Innovative approaches Ecosystem Studies of Subarctic Former JGOFS Chair MArine REsearch (MA-RE) Institute 2. Innovative technologies Seas (ESSAS), Small Pelagic fish University of Cape Town 3. Process studies And Climate Change (SPACC, Rondebosch, South Africa 4. Sustained observations upwelling regions), Basin-scale email: [email protected] or: [email protected] 5. Palaeo-oceanography Analysis, Synthesis and Inte- 6. Molecular genetics and func- gration (BASIN, a proposed

Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 15 cal budgets as well as new tools such as conceptual diagrams and Land-Ocean Interactions in report cards. LOICZ is at pres- the Coastal Zone (LOICZ) ent researching how to link the biogeochemical model with the LOICZ typology and ASSETS, an assessment of estuarine eutrophication methodology. Global change and the coastal zone: LOICZ is using cross-cutting workshops to test these tools in current LOICZ science activities the global coastal context and A. Newton thus achieve regional syntheses. The current theme of the cross- cutting workshops and research Winston Churchill said “All men ology. The project has developed is coastal lagoons. LOICZ has make mistakes, but only wise men a series of simple questions carried out a study of Indian learn from their mistakes”...and that are based on the DPSIR lagoons (see the LOICZ newslet- maybe wise men should learn (driver-pressure-state-impact- ter INPRINT 3 (2008). The next from the mistakes of others? It response) framework (OECD, study will be of the lagoons of is a grave concern that the same 1993)[1]. This framework links the Middle East and North Africa mistakes are repeated time and economic drivers through to the region, and a workshop will be time again at different locations impacts on the environment, held in Rabat 11-16 May 2009. and times around the coast of the on the ecology, on the economy, LOICZ scientists are also world. There are many examples on society and health. Societal working with scientists from and case studies of problems in responses are also being catego- other projects to bridge and link the coastal zone and LOICZ – the rized as governance, policy, their initiatives together. For Land-Ocean Interactions in the management, technological and example, LOICZ and IGBP’s Coastal Zone core project – is now engineering, educational and Integrated Marine Biogeochem- synthesizing these and organiz- scientific responses. istry and Ecosystem Research ing them into categories. The (IMBER) project have been categories include erosion, from Solutions working together to develop damming of rivers and physical But LOICZ scientists are inter- an implementation strategy for disruption of the coastal dynamics ested in solving, not just study- continental margins research. by coastal engineering; eutrophi- ing coastal environmental Climate tourism in cation and hypoxia from agricul- problems. LOICZ is seeking to ture, animal rearing, processing provide innovative solutions to coastal zones of organic matter and sewage; these common coastal problems LOICZ and the International changes in land use leading rather than yet more studies. Human Dimensions Programme to the destruction of mangroves, One of the major challenges (IHDP) have also been investi- salt-marshes and wetlands; urban is the different scales of the gating water consumption by development in a flood prone systems, but also the degree of the tourism sector in Southern low-lying coastal zone; as well development. Although several Europe. The Mediterranean as overexploitation of biotic and mega-cities are coastal, many of climate with warm, wet winters abiotic resources. In extreme cases, them still lack adequate infra- and hot, dry summers makes these problems result in massive structure, such as urban waste- this region an attractive tourist loss of life and property, as well as water treatment. The intent of destination for North Europe- translocation of populations. LOICZ scientists is to inspire, ans and also the site of many manage and produce timely second homes. Whole coastal Case studies syntheses and assessments stretches are devoted to the LOICZ has invited coastal on key coastal issues and the socio-economic activity of scientists from around the world watershed. We are developing tourism, such as the Algarve to submit well-documented a user-friendly toolbox to help (Portugal), the Costa del Sol case studies of such problems coastal scientists and managers. (Spain), the Côte d’Azur (France) and are now analyzing the case These include well-established and the Amalfi coast (Italy). studies using a similar method- tools such as the biogeochemi- The peak tourist season during

16 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 July-September, when excessive LOICZ hopes to replicate this turbulence, mankind cannot water extraction supports the pilot study in the coming years consider environmental issues to consumption by tourists and throughout the Mediterranean be a luxury. Coastal ecosystem their activities (eg. golf courses and in other regions of the world goods and services continue to and swimming pools), also coin- that experience “climate” tourism. be misunderstood, undervalued cides with the driest season of Scientists are increas- and mismanaged, taking us ever the year. A pilot study of the use ingly aware that many coastal further from sustainable use of water by tourists was made in zones are experiencing regime of the very ecosystems that we the coastal area of the Algarve, changes. Management measures ultimately depend on. Portugal. The results of the study are often insufficient to reverse Alice Newton will be used for a larger-scale the damage done to coastal LOICZ SSC Chair study of water use by tourism in ecosystem structure and func- Faculty of Science and Technology University of Algarve, Portugal the Mediterranean region, includ- tion. The effect of global change Email: [email protected] ing seasonal migration, environ- on the coastal zone is difficult to mental change, water scarcity, quantify, but in many cases the governance and human security. degradation of coastal systems The report will be communicated seems to have passed a thresh- to stakeholders and decision old. We are walking along a References 1. OECD. 1993. OECD Core Set of makers such as the regional tourist cliff-top in thick fog, not know- Indicators for Environmental Per- office, the regional water provider, ing where the edge is. Although formance Reviews. A Synthesis Report by the Group on the State the regional environment agency we are navigating through a of the Environment. OECD, Paris. and the National Water Institute. “perfect storm” of economic

How to get involved in To participate in the pilot study on LOICZ science coastal tourist areas in the Mediter- If you wish to participate in the global ranean, and other coastal tourist survey of case studies on coastal zone localities, contact Alice Newton at depredation, please submit your study to [email protected]. Alice Newton, [email protected]. You should describe the case study in two to three para- And for more information: graphs, attach a visual for which you have • on the biogeochemical budgets, with copyright and answer the questions below: new tools such as conceptual diagrams • What was the main driver of the change? and report cards, please contact Dennis Swaney, [email protected]. And look up • Why did things go wrong and how? • ASSETS, the assessment of estua- • What were the main pressures? rine eutrophication methodology, • Were there any indicators of change of state; see http://www.eutro.org/. what were they and why were they ignored? • conceptual diagrams and report • Was there any foresight or environmental cards, see http://ian.umces.edu/ impact assessment? • on Lagoons • Was this ignored or did no-one think about • Workshop on Indian Lagoons, in the consequences and impacts? the LOICZ newsletter IMPRINT 3 • Were ecosystem goods and services rav- (2008) page 16, http://www.loicz. aged or misunderstood? org/products/publications/news- • Were the impacts environmental, ecological, letter/index.html.en economic, social? • Participate in the workshop • Is it reversible with appropriate response or on Lagoons in the Middle East are we now so far into another “stable” state and North Africa, Rabat 11-16 that we may not be able to go back? May 2009, contact Prof. Maria • What can we learn from this? Snoussi, [email protected].

Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 17 The Legacy of in situ Advancing priority ocean Iron Enrichment: Data Compilation science topics and Modelling A major debate is raging on whether scientists should be allowed to conduct in situ meso- Working groups of the Scientific scale iron enrichment experiments. A meeting sponsored by Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) the National Science Foundation E. Urban (USA) and the Surface Ocean - Lower Atmosphere Study that The Scientific Committee on Global Comparisons synthesized the results from Oceanic Research (SCOR) is of Zooplankton past iron-enrichment experi- one of IGBP’s major partners, in Time-Series ments, concluded that the data terms of co-sponsoring large- and metadata from past experi- scale ocean research projects and This group has compiled a ments would be more useful if other marine activities. As the global database of representa- they were gathered into a single oldest of the interdisciplinary tive zooplankton time-series database. This working group committees of the International observations in order to examine is in the midst of this task, with Council for Science (ICSU), what factors control zooplankton the ultimate aim of using the SCOR recently celebrated its populations, including testing for relational database to conduct 50th anniversary with a sympo- the kind of climate-dependent modeling studies of the oceano- sium that highlighted its contri- teleconnections that are seen in graphic factors that influence butions to ocean science over fish populations. A better under- the outcomes of iron enrichment the past five decades, as well standing of the effects of climate experiments. The better under- as discussing ideas for priority and oceanographic conditions on standing from these activities research in the future. zooplankton is very important for will help policymakers as they An important part of SCOR improved management of marine continue to debate whether to activities is the establishment fisheries. Scientists from the allow future iron-enrichment and support of working groups Global Ocean Ecosystem Dynam- experiments. intended to advance specific ics science community have been Land-based Nutrient areas of science identified as very involved in this group. Pollution and the priority topics. SCOR work- Thermodynamics and Relationship to ing groups can be proposed Equation of State of by anyone in the global ocean Harmful Algal Blooms Seawater science community and, before in Coastal Marine working groups are established, The equation of state of seawa- SCOR invites comments on ter describes the dependence of Systems the proposals from the entire seawater density on its tempera- There is good evidence that community. Some groups are ture, salinity, and pressure. It coastal areas in many parts of supported solely by SCOR, has been several decades since the world are experiencing both whereas others are co-sponsored the equation of state was last increased nutrient levels and with other organizations, includ- revised and this group is working increased harmful algal blooms, ing IGBP projects. to provide new definitions and but the causal link between the Currently, SCOR has 14 algorithms for salinity, density, two is uncertain. This group, working groups in various entropy, enthalpy, and many co-sponsored by IGBP’s Land- stages, from three newly formed other properties. These more Ocean Interactions in the Coastal ones to some that have held accurate quantities will help Zone project and the Chinese their final meetings and are improve global models of circula- Academy of Science’s Institute working on peer-reviewed tion and climate. The Interna- of Oceanology, is integrating journal issues or books. Some tional Association for the Physical nutrient and harmful algal bloom highlights from SCOR work- Sciences of the Oceans (IAPSO) is data in a geographic informa- ing groups are outlined in this a co-sponsor of this group. tion system format to study this article.

18 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 important question. The results hydrothermal energy trans- microbial processing of organic of this group will help coastal fer and materials to the ocean matter to acquire new insights in policymakers in decisions to carbon cycle is unknown. This mechanisms controlling carbon prevent or mitigate harmful algal working group, co-sponsored by cycling in the ocean. blooms. Sybil Seitzinger, Execu- the InterRidge project, will bring As we see, SCOR working tive Director of the IGBP, is a together the information neces- groups cover the entire range member of this working group. sary to provide quantitative of ocean science topics. SCOR estimates of such contributions welcomes IGBP co-sponsorship OceanScope The Microbial Carbon of new working groups and is Some aspects of the ocean envi- interested in participating in ronment can be monitored from Pump in the Ocean new IGBP Fast-Track Initiatives commercial ships, including Microorganisms can shape the related to ocean science. SCOR ocean-going vessels and ferries chemical composition of organic has co-funded three Fast Track plying coastal waters. Although matter and consequently influ- Initiatives, on the global iron and ocean scientists have more ence the residence time of carbon nitrogen cycles, and on ocean than 50 years’ experience using in the ocean. This process is anal- acidification over time. commercial vessels to monitor ogous to the known “biological composition of the plankton pump” (the biological processes Ed Urban Executive Director community, temperature, salin- that draw down carbon from the Scientific Committee on ity, dissolved carbon dioxide, atmosphere into the deep ocean) Oceanic Research and other parameters, arrange- in consequence, but different in College of Marine and Earth Studies University of Delaware ments are typically between mechanisms, and can be called Newark, NJ, USA individual scientists and indi- “microbial carbon pump”. This E-mail: [email protected] vidual shipping companies. group will address the state-of- Web: www.scor-int.org This group seeks to develop a the-art techniques for studying new paradigm for partnering with the merchant marine fleet. It will identify new measurements, sampling techniques and technologies optimized for commercial vessels, and develop new broad-scale interactions between the scientific and shipping communities in order to establish and maintain high- resolution studies of the ocean over time. IAPSO is co-sponsoring this group. Hydrothermal Energy Transfer and its Impact on the Ocean Carbon Cycle

Deep-sea hydrothermal vents in mid-ocean ridge-crest areas are known to have profound influences on the surrounding ecosystems in fueling communities of chemosynthetic organisms. Circulation though vent areas and relatively young crust

also controls the oceanic concen- Christopher Sabine, PMEL Photo credit: trations of many elements. Yet, Scientists collect sea water samples which have been brought to the surface from differ- the potential contribution of ent depths by a rosette sampler.

Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 19 20 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 21 Atoms for Peace: The First Half Century 1957–2007 The Ocean in a High-CO2 World The Second Symposium on Ocean Acidification

Back in 2004 the Scientific Committee on Oceanic high over Monaco Research and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic overlooking the blue Commission held the ground breaking international waters of the Medi- symposium The Ocean in a High-CO2 World that terranean Sea and brought ocean acidification as an important anthro- close to numerous pogenic CO2 issue to the forefront of research. restaurants where Important outputs were a report on future research discussions con- needs, a communications policy, and heightened tinued on into the concern about the possible consequences of ocean evening. A Report on acidification on marine organisms and the food Research Priorities webs that depend on them. Since then, research has been completed into ocean acidification has grown and it has been and a subset of the communicated so widely that it was reported as a science results from new finding by the IPCC in their th4 Assessment on IAEA Teyssie, Louis Jean credit: Photo the Symposium will Climate Change (2007) only three years later. IGBP James Orr together with HSH Prince be reported in a was one of the sponsors [1] of the 2nd symposium on Albert of Monaco at the Symposium. special issue of the The Ocean in a High-CO2 World held on 6-9 Octo- peer-reviewed journal Biogeosciences. ber 2008 at the Oceanography Museum of Monaco On the fourth day there was a session for policy under the High Patronage of His Serene Highness makers and the press which consisted of a sum- Prince Albert II. The increase in sponsors itself is an mary of the science findings from the symposium, indicator of the growing concern of the international and presentations on the potential socio-economic science community. impact of ocean acidification and on engaging with The meeting doubled the attendance of 2004, policy makers. To better achieve this, in addition to the bringing together 220 scientists from 32 countries science outputs, a Summary for Policymakers is being to reveal what we now know about the impacts of prepared. HSH Prince Albert II not only supported ocean acidification on marine chemistry and eco- the Symposium, but also addressed those pres- systems, to assess these impacts for policy makers, ent, recognizing the important scientific challenges and to decide what the future research needs are. of ocean acidification and called on climate change The three science days reported on what had been policy makers all over the world to recognize that CO2 learned in the last four years from all aspects of this emissions must be reduced urgently and drastically in rapidly emerging research issue — from future sce- order to prevent serious impacts of ocean acidification narios of ocean acidification, effects of changes in on marine organisms, food webs and ecosystems. seawater chemistry on nutrient and metal speciation, Rather than alleviate the concerns that emerged from palaeo-oceanographic perspectives, mechanisms the meeting four years ago, the symposium brought of calcification, impacts on benthic and pelagic home our worst fears about how serious the issue calcifiers, physiological effects from microbes to of ocean acidification is, and will be, as we continue fish, adaptation and micro-evolution, fisheries and burning fossil fuels. It was recognized that marine food webs, impacts on biogeochemical cycling and scientists of all disciplines must convince the climate feedbacks to the climate systems. The science days change negotiators to take ocean acidification seri- consisted of invited and submitted papers, discus- ously, particularly in this important year when nego- sion sessions on future research priorities and a large tiations at COP-15 [2] take place in Copenhagen in poster display, all of which offered an intensive sym- December. A suggestion from the floor that we pro- posium in the wonderful Oceanography Museum, set duce a conference declaration, was widely supported.

22 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 The Monaco Declaration has been carefully crafted Fortunately, partial remedies already on the table, based on the symposium findings, and was launched if implemented together, could solve most of the on 30 January 2009, receiving wide media coverage. problem. We must start to act now because it will It has been signed by 155 of the conference partici- take years to change the energy infrastructure and pants. If you have five minutes, read it, if not read the to overcome the atmosphere’s accumulation of extracts below: excess CO2, which takes time to invade the ocean. Ocean acidification is underway … is already detect- Therefore, we urge policymakers to able … is accelerating and severe damages are launch four types of initiatives: imminent … will have socioeconomic impacts … is • to help improve understanding of impacts of rapid, but recovery will be slow. … Ocean acidifica- ocean acidification by promoting research in tion can be controlled only by limiting future atmo- this field, which is still in its infancy; spheric CO2 levels. • to help build links between economists and sci- Despite a seemingly bleak outlook, there remains entists that are needed to evaluate the socio- hope. We have a choice, and there is still time to act economic extent of impacts and costs for action if serious and sustained actions are initiated without versus inaction; further delay. First and foremost, policymakers need to realize that ocean acidification is not a periph- • to help improve communication between policymakers and scientists so that i) new policies are eral issue. It is the other CO2 problem that must be grappled with alongside climate change. Reining in based on current findings and ii) scientific stud- this double threat, caused by our dependence on ies can be widened to include the most policy- fossil fuels, is the challenge of the century. Solving this relevant questions; and problem will require a monumental world-wide effort. • to prevent severe damages from ocean acidifi- All countries must contribute, and developed countries cation by developing ambitious, urgent plans to must lead by example and by engineering new tech- cut emissions drastically. nologies to help solve the problem. Promoting these technologies will be rewarded economically, and pre- An example to illustrate the intense vention of severe environmental degradation will be far effort needed: less costly for all nations than would be trying to live To stay below an atmospheric CO level of 550 ppm, with the consequences of the present approach where 2 the current increase in total CO2 emissions of 3% per CO2 emissions and atmospheric CO2 concentrations year must be reversed by 2020. Even steeper reduc- continue to increase, year after year. tions will be needed to keep most polar waters from becoming corrosive to the shells of key marine species and to maintain favourable conditions for coral Products from the Symposium growth. If negotiations at COP-15 in Copenhagen IGBP’s research on ocean acidification is con- in December 2009 fall short of these objectives, still ducted in collaboration with SCOR, primarily by higher atmospheric CO2 levels will be inevitable. IGBP Core Projects SOLAS, IMBER and PAGES. The Second Symposium on the Ocean in a James C. Orr Carol Turley Chair of the International Former IMBER SSC Member High-CO2 World, in collaboration with SCOR, the Organising Committee Plymouth Marine Laboratory Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the Second Symposium on the Plymouth, UK (IOC) and the International Atomic Energy Agency Ocean in a High-CO2 World [email protected] International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA), resulted in a number of products, aimed at Marine Environment Laboratories different audiences: Monaco [email protected] • Research priorities report on ocean acidification • The Monaco Declaration Endnotes • A special issue of the journal Biogeosciences 1. The symposium was again sponsored by SCOR and IOC-UNESCO as • Oceanography magazine article (in preparation) well as the IAEA-Marine Environment Laboratories and IGBP. Addi- tionally, it was supported financially by the Prince Albert II Founda- • Press Releases tion, the Centre Scientifique de Monaco, the U.S. National Science Foundation, the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, • Fact Sheet the North Pacific Marine Science Organization, the Oceanography Museum, and the Monaco Government. • Summary for Policymakers (in preparation) 2. The overall goal for the 2009 (COP15) United Nations Climate Change Conference is to establish an ambitious global climate agreement for All publications, when completed, are available from the period from 2012. COP stands for Conference of Parties and is http://ioc3.unesco.org/oanet/HighCO2World.html the highest body of the United Nations Climate Change Convention consisting of environment ministers who meet once a year to discuss and can be accessed from the “Ocean in a High CO2 the convention’s developments. Ministers and officials from around World” page of the portal www.ocean-acidification.net 189 countries and participants from a large number of organizations will take part.

Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 23 The Ocean in a High-CO2 World Science highlights from the symposium

to none. The lack of cements are thought to reduce Reef development in a high- the resistance of the corals and reefs to bioerosion; CO world: Coral reefs of the in fact, bioerosion rates in the eastern Pacific are ten 2 times those of other reef regions. This study shows eastern tropical Pacific that increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide, which Many coral reefs in the eastern tropical Pacific lowers the aragonite saturation state of seawater, develop at slow – or even marginal – rates: they grow threatens not only the coral calcification rates, but slowly and erode quickly. This has been blamed also the reef-structures that support high biodiversity on the upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich waters to the and protect shorelines [1]. surface that can depress calcification and stimulate bioerosion. Our study suggests that the increased Derek P. Manzello Joan A. Kleypas carbon dioxide content of the upwelled water, which Cooperative Institute of Marine Institute for the Study of lowers the pH and depresses the aragonite (CaCO3) and Atmospheric Studies Society and Environment saturation state, is also an important factor in the Rosenstiel School, National Center for Marine Biology and Fisheries Atmospheric Research poor reef development. We verified the low satura- University of Miami, Miami, PO Box 3000 tion state of waters from the eastern Pacific (Galá- Florida, USA Boulder, CO 80307-3000, USA pagos, Gulf of Chiriquí, and Gulf of Panamá), and [email protected] [email protected] then compared coral samples from nearby reefs with samples from the Bahama Islands, a region with high aragonite saturation state. The Bahama samples References 1. Manzello DP, Kleypas JA, Budd DA, Eakin CM, Glynn PW, Langdon contained abundant inorganic aragonite cements C (2008) Poorly cemented coral reefs of the eastern tropical Pacific: that tend to fill the pore spaces within corals and the possible insights into reef development in a high-CO2 world. Proceed- ings of the National Academy of Sciences 105 (30):10450-10455 reef, while the eastern Pacific samples contained few

Carbonate cements within the pore spaces of corals from areas with naturally different CO2 levels. The Galapagos sample (where seawater is similar to what is expected for the rest of the tropics with a tripling of atmospheric CO2) contains no cement. The absence of cement is evidenced by a clearly defined boundary between the inner skeletal wall and open pore space. This is contrary to the sample from the Bahamas (where seawater has very low CO2 levels) — the boundary between the skeletal wall and pore space is blurred by the abundance of cements. Minor amounts of cement are present from the intermediate CO2 environment from Pacific Panama, but these are still trivial relative to the Bahamas.

24 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 High vulnerability of eastern Changes in the carbonate boundary upwelling systems system of the global oceans

to ocean acidification Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide is rapidly Eastern boundary upwelling systems, such as the changing seawater chemistry as a result of the acidi- California Current, are particularly sensitive to ocean fying effects of CO2 on seawater. This acidification acidification: the pH of their surface waters is already makes it more difficult for marine organisms (e.g., comparatively low and their change in pH for a given corals, plankton, calcareous algae, and molluscs) to build skeletons and shells of calcium carbonate. uptake of anthropogenic CO2 is particularly high. Eddy-resolving simulations [1] for the California Cur- Impacts on these calcifying organisms will lead to rent System show that between pre-industrial times cascading effects throughout marine ecosystems. and present, the mean pH of the surface ocean has Repeated hydrographic cruises and modelling studies decreased by about 0.1 pH units. As a result, the in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans show evi- aragonite saturation horizon has shoaled by ~100 m, dence for increased ocean acidification. The dissolved bringing waters corrosive to calcifying organisms into inorganic carbon increases in surface waters of the the surface (euphotic) zone in a few eddies and in Pacific Ocean over the past 15 years are consistent near-shore environments during upwelling (Figure). with pH decreases (Figure). These changes can be The model data agree with recent observations. attributed, in most part, to anthropogenic CO2 uptake Projections for 2050 (IPCC SRES A2-scenario) sug- by the ocean. These data verify earlier model projec- gest an additional drop of pH by ~0.2 units and a tions that ocean acidification is occuring as a result of widespread and year-round shoaling of the satura- the uptake of carbon dioxide released by the burning tion horizon into the euphotic zone. Due to the high of fossil fuels. From these results we estimate an aver- temporal and spatial variability that characterizes age upward migration of the aragonite saturation hori- eastern boundary upwelling systems, organisms are zon of approximately 1-2 metres per year in the Pacific exposed to a wide range of pH (variations of up to and Indian oceans. Thus making water corrosive to 0.3 to 0.4 units) and saturation states, making it dif- calcifiying organisms that are closest to the surface. ficult to define when critical thresholds are crossed. At the same time, these systems may today offer Richard A. Feely James C. Orr opportunities to study the response to organisms to Christopher L. Sabine IAEA’s Marine Environment Laboratories low and varying pH and saturations states likely to Dana Greeley Monaco be widely experienced in the future. Pacific Marine Environmental [email protected] Laboratory, NOAA Seattle, Washington, USA Nicolas Gruber [email protected] Frank Millero IMBER SSC Member Rosensteil School of Marine Claudine Hauri Robert H. Byrne and Atmospheric Sciences College of Marine Science Gian-Kasper Plattner University of Miami University of South Florida Miami, FL, USA Environmental Physics St. Petersburg, FL, USA Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics ETH Zurich Zurich, Switzerland [email protected]

Time series of atmospheric CO2 at Mauna Loa and surface ocean pH and pCO2 at Ocean Station Aloha in the subtropical North Pacific Ocean. Model simulations of the shoaling of the aragonite saturation horizon (depth Mauna Loa data: Dr. Pieter Tans, NOAA/ESRL; HOTS/Aloha data: Dr. David in m) in the California Current from 1750 to 2050 (snapshots for the month Karl, University of Hawaii (modified after Feely, 2008). of August). White areas depict saturated (non-corrosive) waters to the sea floor. Reference Footnote Feely, R A (2008) Ocean Acidification. In; State of the Climate in 2007, Levin- 1. Produced with the ETH-UCLA Regional Oceanic Modeling System. son D H and Lawrimore J H (eds.). Bull. Am. Meteorol. Soc., 89(7): S58.

Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 25 Salmon pHishing in the North Consequences of ocean Pacific Ocean acidification for fisheries

The northern North Pacific is home to salmon popula- Ocean acidification can affect fish both directly tions that have sustained human societies through- through physiological processes and indirectly out their history in the region. Salmon are potentially through changes in the marine food webs, such as linked to CO2 emissions by one of their prey, a marine food quality, quantity and availability, and through snail or shelled pteropod called Limacina helicina. the deterioration of fish habitats, such as tropical The shells of this mollusk are made of the aragonitic and deep-sea coral reefs. Alone, or in combination form of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), which may begin with other factors, ocean acidification can affect to dissolve as the oceans acidify so that their fate reproduction, growth and mortality in fish popula- as a component of the holoplankton is potentially tions. Early life stages, hence recruitment of young threatened by an increasingly acidic ocean. What if fish into the fish stock, may be particularly vulner- pteropods simply disappeared from the North Pacific? able. This is bad news because recruitment governs During the 20th century they received little attention the dynamics of fish stock biomass. Observations from the scientific community but they were found and model predictions of ocean acidification show routinely in salmon diets. Historical data reveal consid- that the changes occur faster and are stronger erable variability in where and when they are important in high latitude oceans. This can have significant as prey. During the last five decades, chum salmon consequences on fisheries in the north Pacific and (Oncorhynchus keta) stomachs from the northwest- Atlantic that hold some of the most important fish ern Pacific contained about 15-25% pteropods and stocks in the world, among them Alaska pollock, this trend has been increasing. During the 1960s in Atlantic herring, blue whiting, and north-eastern the Gulf of Alaska, humpback salmon (O. gorbuscha) Arctic cod. The collapse of fish stocks is most stomachs contained about 15% pteropods on aver- likely to occur when overfishing coincides with age in April. The current situation is poorly known as unfavourable environmental conditions that reduce studies of salmon ecology are rare in this part of the recruitment. Institutions responsible for fisheries Pacific, but if pteropods continue to form a compo- management need to be adaptive and respond nent of salmon diets, it is likely that ocean acidification quickly to new environmental knowledge, enabling will increasingly affect this food source. them to maintain healthy and robust fish stocks that are not overfished and have suffered a minimum loss Skip McKinnell PICES of genetic diversity. This can secure a high potential Victoria, British Columbia, Canada for adaptation to changes in the environment. [email protected] Jan Helge Fosså Richard Bellerby Tore Jakobsen Bjerknes Center for Climate Institute of Marine Research Research Bergen, Norway Bergen, Norway [email protected]

Cod in a deep-water coral habitat at 200 m depth. The NE-Arctic cod stock is one of the few cod stocks that so far have not been fished down due to mismanagement. But problems may soon come: the cod lives in a high latitude ecosystem that will experience significant ocean acidification within a few decades. Modelling predicts that deep-water coral reefs off the coast of Norway may meet undersaturated conditions within Sockeye salmon haul off the Canadian coast in the mid 1980s. this century. Photo: Jan Helge Fosså and Pål B. Mortensen, Institute of Insert: Chum salmon caught in the high seas of the North Pacific Ocean. Marine Research, Norway.

26 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 Impact of ocean acidification The early development of on underwater sound oysters: synergistic effects of

Thirty years ago, scientists trying to determine the ocean acidification and absorption of low frequency sound in seawater in temperature order to develop new navy sonar systems, discov- ered, somewhat surprisingly, that this absorption Studies have found that projected elevations in atmo- is pH dependent: the lower the pH the less the spheric carbon dioxide (CO2), as early as 2065, will absorption. Today this discovery has an implication reduce the calcification of adult organisms in oce- for ocean acidification: as the ocean acidifies it will anic environments. Less is known, however, about become noisier! Lower absorption (the pH change how the combined effects of elevated dissolved CO2 predicted in a recent Royal Society Report [1] would (pCO2) and temperature will impact the sensitive early cut the absorption in half) will result in a smaller development stages of marine organisms. In a series propagation loss which means that at a given dis- of studies, we investigated the synergistic effects of tance from a noise source (such as a ship’s propel- elevated pCO2 (375, 600, 750 and 1000 ppm) and ler) the sound level will be louder than it previously temperature (18, 22, 26 and 30 °C) on the fertilisa- was. It is presently the subject of legal contention tion, development and growth of the early life history whether noise levels can cause significant distress stages of two ecologically and economically important to marine mammals but if there is a problem ocean estuarine molluscs, the Sydney rock oyster, Sac- acidification could make it worse. As with other costrea glomerata, and the Pacific oyster,Crassostrea predicted effects, the absorption change would have gigas. We found that exposure to elevated pCO2 and the greatest impact soonest in specific situations. temperature had deleterious effects on the reproduc- For example underwater sound typically propagates tion, growth and development of the early life history along the axis of a naturally occurring sound chan- stages of S. glomerata and C. gigas. Overall as pCO2 nel – in many areas this axis is over 1,000 meters increased and temperature deviated from 26 °C, deep which means that it would take a significant fertilisation, development and growth decreased and time for pH change to work down the water column. abnormality and mortality increased (Figure). Further- In some locations such as the North Pacific Ocean, more, S. glomerata was more sensitive to elevated however, a shallow secondary sound channel exists pCO2 and temperature than C. gigas. This implies that where the impact should be observed sooner. For if our oceans continue to acidify and warm, the Pacific a more detailed explanation of the ocean chemistry Oyster, C. gigas, may become the dominant species see: Hester K. C., E. T. Peltzer, W. J. Kirkwood, P. along the South Eastern coast of Australia. G. Brewer. “Unanticipated consequences of ocean Laura Parker received the prize for the best acidification: A noisier ocean at lower pH”,Geophys - student oral presentation at the Symposium. ical Research Letters, 35: L19601 (1 October 2008). Laura M. Parker Pauline M. Ross Peter M. Scheifele David G. Browning University of Western Sydney University of Western Sydney School of Natural Sciences School of Natural Sciences Department of Communications, University of Rhode Island Sydney, Australia Sydney, Australia Sciences & Disorders Physics Department [email protected] [email protected] University of Cincinnati Medical Kingston RI, USA Center [email protected] Cincinnati OH, USA Wayne A. O’Connor [email protected] New South Wales Department of Primary Industries Port Stephens Fisheries Centre NSW, Australia

a. under normal pCO2 a 375 ppm (control)

b. under elevated pCO2, 1000 ppm for 48 hr.

Acidification of the ocean results in a noisier ocean. Light microscopy of Sydney Rock Oyster References larvae reared at 22 °C 1. Ocean acidification due to increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide, Royal Society policy document 12/05, June 2005, ISBN 0 85403 617 2

Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 27 isms in the Baltic with carbon chemistry (mindful that Low winter CaCO3 saturation there are also strong gradients in salinity and other in the Baltic Sea: parameters). For instance, while many calcifiers are scarce in the Baltic, the blue mussel Mytilus edulis consequences for calcifiers occurs even in the low Ω Bothnian Bay.

Ocean acidification lowers the calcium carbonate Toby Tyrrell (CaCO3) saturation state (Ω) of seawater and thus National Oceanography Centre the ability of calcifying organisms to form shells or Southampton University Southampton, UK skeletons. All surface oceans are presently super- [email protected] saturated with respect to CaCO3 (Ω>1) but under continued emissions of CO this will change. The Bernd Schneider 2 Institut für OstseeforschungWarnemünde first oceans to experience surface undersaturation Rostock, Germany (Ω<1) will be the Arctic and Southern Oceans, and it will most likely occur in wintertime, the time of the year at which Ω is typically lowest. Measurements in the Baltic Sea show that a similar situation already Mechanisms linking climate pertains there: the central Baltic becomes under- to ecosystem change: saturated (or nearly so) in winter, with respect to physiological background both aragonite and calcite mineral forms of CaCO3 (Figure). Undersaturation appears even more severe and ecological implications in the most northerly part of the Baltic Sea, the Both- Climate change causes ocean warming and acidifica- nian Bay. Low wintertime Ω is matched by unusual tion on global scales. In contrast to well established patterns of chemical etching (dissolution) of CaCO3 effects of warming, evidence for the effects of rising shell fragments in sediments. We are taking advan- carbon dioxide (CO2) on marine ecosystems is only tage of this natural analogue to better understand just emerging. However, future scenarios also indi- future impacts of ocean acidification, by comparing cate threats to marine life through combinations of biogeographical distributions of calcifying organ- rising CO2 levels, warming and more frequent oxygen depletion (hypoxia) in the ocean. There is a need to understand the causes and effects of realistic future climate scenarios on ecosystems. We need to identify key physiological mechanisms and their responses to combined effects of progressive acidification, warming and hypoxia. In the changing ocean, these are physiological mechanisms which define species performance, including their capacity to interact, e.g. in food webs [1]. Many current ecosystem changes likely occur when ambient temperature drifts beyond the species-specific temperature limits of survival (thermal

Conceptual model of CO2 dependent effects on species interactions at ecosystem level (modified after [1]). Species differ in their thermal windows of performance and coexist where these windows overlap (left). Changes Calcium carbonate saturation state of Baltic seawater over the seasons. in species interactions are elicited by warming and also by the specific Ω<1 indicates undersaturated waters where carbonate dissolution occurs. sensitivity of species to ocean acidification under elevated CO2 levels. The narrowing of thermal windows and differential loss of performance will Map: Norman Einstein affect coexistence ranges, relative performance, and thus the patterns of competition and susceptibility to predation (right).

28 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 tolerance window) and causes a shift in phenology tative of carbonate chemistry for 1990 and 2100, show resulting in the species no longer being able to survive calcification rates decreased by 28% for the pteropod in this location. High sensitivity to elevated CO2 levels L. helicina when pH was lowered by 0.3 units. An may involve a low capacity for acid-base regulation, as even larger reduction of 50% was seen in response seen in lower marine invertebrates [2]. The disturbed to a decrease of 0.3 pH units for the cold-water coral extracellular acid-base status affects processes Lophelia pertusa (Figure 2). While tropical coral reefs involved in growth, calcification, neural functions, are formed by a large number of coral species, the blood gas transport and behavioural capacities [2]. structure of a cold-water coral reef is made by one or Metabolic pathways shift to new equilibria. Current two coral species that form the basis of a very diverse evidence indicates elevated sensitivity to higher CO2 ecosystem. A reduction in skeletal growth as a conse- levels towards the extremes of thermal windows [3]. quence of ocean acidification can therefore become The ultimate consequence may be a narrowing of detrimental to the whole ecosystem. thermal tolerance windows and associated ranges of These first results presented during the Monaco geographical distribution and of the performance at Symposium raise great concern for the future of ecosystem level. Thus, CO may exacerbate warming 2 pteropods and cold-water corals, and organisms that effects on marine ecosystems. Future research will depend on them as a food source or habitat. One have to test these concepts under realistic climate and role of the recently launched national or international ocean acidification scenarios and in various marine research projects on ocean acidification will undoubt- ecosystems between the tropics and the poles. edly be to generate data on other taxa, longer time Hans O. Pörtner scales and on the interactive impacts of ocean acidifi- Alfred-Wegener-Institute for Polar and Marine Research cation and other global changes such as temperature Integrative Ecophysiology, Bremerhaven, Germany on these organisms. [email protected] Jean-Pierre Gattuso (IMBER SSC and member of the International Organising Committee References for the Ocean in a High CO2 World Symposium) , 1. Pörtner, H.O., and A.P. Farrell. 2008. Physiology and climate change. Steeve Comeau, Science 322: 690-692. Conny Maier 2. Pörtner, H.O. 2008. Ecosystem effects of ocean acidification in times Laboratoire d’Océanographie of ocean warming: a physiologist’s view. Marine Ecology Progress CNRS-University of Paris 6 Series 373: 203-217. BP 28, 06234 Villefranche-sur-mer Cedex, France 3. Metzger, R., F.J. Sartoris, M. Langenbuch, and H.O. Pörtner. 2007. [email protected] Influence of elevated CO2 concentrations on thermal tolerance of the edible crab Cancer pagurus. Journal of thermal Biology 32: 144-151.

Impact of ocean acidification on marine snails and deep-sea corals

The impact of ocean acidification on calcification has been investigated for over 20 years. However, few taxonomic groups of calcifying organisms have been Figure 1. The Arctic pelagic snail (pteropod) Limacina studied in acidified conditions: among them are reef- helicina (surface water, Spitsbergen). building corals and phytoplankton (coccolithophores). Yet, there are more than 16 phyla of calcifying organisms, some of them critically important due to their role in biogeochemical cycles or because they are host to ecosystems with high biodiversity. Arctic pteropods, or marine snails, and deep-sea corals thrive in areas that will be among the first affected by changes in ocean acidification. The polar pteropod Limacina helicina (Figure 1) is a major dietary component for zooplankton and higher predators such as herring, salmon, whale and birds. Its fragile aragonite shell plays a vital protective role and forms an external skeleton. Perturbation experiments, Figure 2. The cold-water coral Lophelia pertusa (150 m carried out under controlled pH conditions represen- depth off the Hebrides in the North Atlantic)

Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 29 Natural CO2 vents reveal eco- From the lab to models: algal logical tipping points due to calcification and ocean ocean acidification acidification

Investigation into the long-term biological effects of Global modellers are called upon to predict the permanent exposure to high CO2 concentrations in future uptake of fossil fuel carbon dioxide (CO2) by a natural ecosystem has taken research into ocean the ocean. The impact of ocean acidification on acidification an important step forwards. Effects were marine calcifiers may be important in this calcula- studied on rocky and sedimentary marine communi- tion, so we construct model parameterizations for ties around underwater volcanic vents that release plankton carbonate production based on biologi- millions of litres of CO2 per day. The vents lacked cal experiments. However, for a major carbonate the poisonous sulphur compounds that characterise producer in the open ocean, algae called cocco- many vents. The high CO2 levels had major impacts lithophores, no consistent calcification response to on marine life including 30% reductions in species acidification (pH) is apparent in laboratory studies. diversity at average pH 7.8, compared with normal This gives us a real headache – how to write a single seawater (pH 8.1). equation for wildly differing experimental responses? Which, if any, is the “correct” response? Two clues This work provides the first confirmation of modelling may help: firstly, a peak in calcification is observed and short-term laboratory experiments which predict in some experiments, hinting at an environmental pH severe reductions in the ability of marine organisms to “optimum” for this process. Secondly, in manipula- build shells or skeletons from calcium carbonate due tions of more complete ecosystems such as meso- to the dramatic effects of CO on seawater chemistry. 2 cosms (large partly submersed bags) and shipboard Seagrasses thrived at increased CO (Figure) levels 2 incubations of seawater samples, calcification is but major groups such as corals, sea urchins and consistently lower in more acidic conditions (higher calcified algae were removed from the ecosystem and CO ). The existence of pH optima for calcification replaced by invasive species of algae. Such stud- 2 would allow the use of the same quasi-empirical trick ies will help us to predict the future effects of ocean as we already employ for modelling the response acidification and demonstrate, for the first time, what of algal growth rate to temperature – the “Eppley happens to marine ecosystems when key groups of curve”. Marine ecosystems may then be expected to species are killed due to rising CO levels. 2 respond to future acidification in an analogous way Jason M. Hall-Spencer to increasing temperature – by gradual transition in Marine Institute dominance from more to less heavily calcified coc- University of Plymouth colithophores and progressively reduced carbonate Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK [email protected] production globally, as illustrated below. See the full article in Ridgwell et al. (2009) Biogeo- sciences 6 (2): 3455-3480.

Andy Ridgwell School of Geographical Sciences University of Bristol Bristol, UK Email: [email protected]

Venting of CO2 at a Mediterranean site provides the opportunity to observe changes in ecosystems along gradients of decreasing pH close to the vents. Sea grasses and brown algae grow well at the vents but groups such as sea urchins, coralline algae and stony corals are killed by the acidified water. References Hall-Spencer, J.M., Rodolfo-Metalpa, R., Martin, S., Ransome, E., Fine, M., Turner, S.M., Rowley, S.J., Tedesco, D., M.-C. Buia (2008). Volca- nic carbon dioxide vents reveal ecosystem effects of ocean acidification. Nature, 454: 96-99. Martin, S., Rodolfo-Metalpa, R., Ransome, E., Rowley, S., Buia, M.-C., Gattuso, J.-P. & J.M. Hall-Spencer (2008). Effects of naturally acidified seawater on seagrass calcareous epibionts. Biology Letters, 4: Potential ecosystem level response of carbonate production with increas- 689-692. ing acidity – a simplification based on individual pH optimum curves for different (hypothetical) species of calcifying phytoplankton

30 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 Economic impacts of ocean Ocean acidification: acidification: costs and connecting the science to savings policy

Stringent mitigation of further carbon dioxide (CO2) Over the last ten years the political and public aware- emissions seems more feasible now that the costs ness of the many consequences of the increase in have been projected as relatively low. Transforming greenhouse gas emissions to the planet’s climate the worldwide energy system to meet a 450 ppm has increased dramatically. The complexity of many CO2-equivalent target would cost only 0.5% to 2% of the issues that we face means that it is a great of the GDP, our global gross domestic product [1], challenge for anyone to be an expert or even well- [2], [3]. At the same time, the findings of the ocean informed about everything, and there is a very real acidification community add to the overall conclu- danger that some issues may be overlooked. Ocean sion that CO2 impacts have been under-estimated acidification is one such issue, but most certainly one in the past. Both of these observations imply where we can’t afford for this to happen. sharper emission cuts than had been foreseen. Our understanding of the chemistry and physics of With the estimate of a potential development of these processes is increasing and evidence is grow- carbon markets and international agreements ing of the biological consequences of a declining to cap CO2 emissions, a price tag can now be seawater pH. The key is to communicate these find- assigned to the acidification-driven degradation ings to the policy makers and decision takers in such of the ocean’s large capacity to absorb CO2. The a way that the key messages can be received and ocean’s current carbon uptake may soon repre- understood and that action results. sent an annual subsidy to the global economy of Cooperation and communication are needed at all about 0.1 to 1% GDP. However, any fraction of the stages between the scientists and policy-makers. ocean’s uptake leads to degradation through ocean Scientists, by nature, are curious and look to answer acidification, which in the future would imply an the interesting and intriguing questions that will economic loss in proportion to the damage this stretch the boundaries of our knowledge and under- causes, thus adding another slice to the overall standing. This is good and laudable but in order to costs of CO emissions. 2 generate action to address the issues that threaten The upcoming years will witness a heated debate the oceans it is ever more important to distinguish on the adequate mix of mitigation technologies, between what we would like to know and what we such as sub-seabed CO2 sequestration or massive- need to know. Providing answer to the latter is what scale deployment of solar thermal power, in view of is required to make the connection between science costs and risks. The ocean acidification community and policy. could supply some of the necessary metrics for Where there is a large programme of work it is pos- a rational discourse on how to judge the risks of sible to make such a connection through the estab- CO leakage after sub-seabed CO sequestration 2 2 lishment of a Reference User Group that provides against the benefits from reduced atmospheric CO 2 an interactive forum throughout the lifetime of the concentration. project where the researchers and the ‘policy cus- tomers’ can exchange ideas. This guides scientists Hermann Held Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research to consider how their research can answer ques- PO Box 601203 tions that need to be addressed to reach key policy 14412 Potsdam, Germany [email protected] decisions. Complex answers must be presented in an accessible manner whilst not detaching these from the underlying science. The UK Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership Annual Report Card (ARC) is an example of how this can be successfully done and the 2009 ARC (publication in April) seeks References to demonstrate the complex and linked relationships 1. Edenhofer, O., Carraro, C., Köhler J. and Grubb M. (Guest eds.): 2006, Endogenous technological change and the economics of atmo- between various aspects of climate change, includ- spheric stabilization. The Energy Journal: Special Issue (27) ing ocean acidification, that policy makers must take 2. Knopf, B., Edenhofer, O., Turton, H., Barker, T.. Scrieciu, S., Leimbach, M., Baumstark, L., Kitous, A. Report on first assessment of low stabi- into account. lisation scenarios, Report for EU Project ADAM, July 2008 3. Edenhofer, O., Knopf, B. et al. (2009) The economics of low stabili- John Baxter sation: exploring its implications for mitigation costs and strategies. Scottish Natural Heritage, Edinburgh, UK The Energy Journal, Special Issue, 2009. in preparation. [email protected]

Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 31

IGBP Network News

interesting and important time for this area of sci- People ence and for IGBP. Peter Liss, Past Chair of the E-mail: [email protected] SOLAS Scientific Steering Committee (2001-2007) and New Executive Officer at IMBER former Chair of the Scientific Lisa Maddison will take up the position of executive Committee for the IGBP (1993- officer of IMBER at the end of April. She succeeds 1997), formally received the Sylvie Roy who has returned to Ottawa in Canada. Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) from Lisa’s background is in Prince Charles in March 2009. marine biology. She worked Peter was elected Fellow of for several years as a the Royal Society in May 2008, and in June was on researcher in the Marine Biol- the Queen’s birthday list of honours to receive the ogy Research Institute at the CBE for his services to science. University of Cape Town, and was involved with several projects relating to ecological New Director of Communications at processes and interactions the IGBP Secretariat and the sustainable utiliza- In May Owen Gaffney joins tion of intertidal resources. She has also worked IGBP as director of com- as an environmental consultant. She writes: “One munications. Currently he of the most exciting programmes that I worked on is head of publications at was the development of the Coastal Management the Natural Environment Policy for South Africa. It was one of the first policy Research Council. NERC is formulation processes that took into consideration the UK’s largest funder of the issues and values of the majority of South Afri- environmental science and cans. It was a wonderful process to be involved in, makes substantial contribu- and the Integrated Coastal Management Act that tions to IGBP, largely through culminated from the process is a really great piece the SOLAS and GLOBEC programmes. of legislation.” His background is in journalism and science writ- She enjoys kayaking and cycling and is looking for- ing. In what he feels is the dim and distant past ward to doing both of these activities in Brest, on he earned a degree in Aeronautic and Astronautic the Brittany coast of France, where the IMBER Core Engineering so when people ask if he is a scientist, Project Office is located. he can truthfully say that he has a degree in rocket E-mail: [email protected] science. But it is not quite the same thing: it’s engineering really. Pakistan NC translates the IGBP For over ten years he has worked as a journal- Science Plan into Urdu ist, science writer and broadcaster. Within NERC he was the editor of the award-winning magazine Assistant professor Ghazala Nasim of Punjab Univer- Planet Earth and he recently launched the news site, sity, Director Professor Dr. Rukhsana Bajwa, and Dr. Planet Earth online, www.planetearth.nerc.ac.uk. Amir Mohammed, Rector of FAST National University He has written for the BBC’s Focus magazine and the of Computer and Emerging Sciences, have now com- American journal Science. He still occasionally writes pleted a translation of the IGBP Science Plan (Report for the Irish daily newspaper, the Irish Examiner. 55) into Urdu, the Pakistani national language. He is very much looking forward to joining IGBP In translating IGBP titles the authors provide detailed and moving to Stockholm. As environmental information to the Pakistani scientific community on change continues to rise up the international global change in general and the changing condi- agenda, the coming few years promise to be an tions in Pakistan in particular. The publication is also

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designed to help graduate and post-graduate stu- New members dents in the departments IGBP Scientific Committees of environmental and other relevant sciences. 2009 – 2011 The announcement in the Many new three-year terms started in January Punjab University Newslet- 2009: some members are new, and others have ter (Dec. 08) suggests that renewed their terms for another three years. We “we in Pakistan, categoriz- are pleased to welcome them all to the IGBP ing our priorities, should community, and thank them for the commitment award global environmental change a more cen- they are willing to assume. tral place in human affairs; thrust our science into First, the Scientific Committee for the IGBP the unfamiliar and uncomfortable role of a major (SC-IGBP), the leading body for the programme, player in a heated and potentially divisive inter- elected two new members and renewed four national debate about the nature and severity of terms that begin this year. The SC-IGBP mem- global change and its implications for ways of life.” bers are appointed by the International Council for Science (ICSU), our governing body. The report is dedicated to Waheeda Sultana (70 years old, shown IGBP Scientific Committee in picture), mother of Appointments renewed: Ghazala Nazim, the Chair: Carlos Nobre lead translator. She Biosphere-atmosphere interactions, earth system had learned to use a science laptop in order to type Centro de Previsão de Tempo e Estudos Climaticos, the IGBP manuscripts in Urdu. Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais Brazil The Urdu translation by the Punjab University Vice Chair: Olga Solomina Press is available at: http://www.igbp.net/page. Palaeoclimatology php?pid=222 Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia ICSU’s former Executive Director Member: Henry Jacoby chairs CGIAR Challenge Program Environmental economics Thomas Rosswall, Joint Programme, Global Change, Massachusetts the former director Institute of Technology, USA and founder of IGBP, now chairs the Steer- New appointment: ing Committee of the Vice-Chair: Chen-Tung Arthur Chen CGIAR Challenge Chemical oceanography, biogeochemistry Programme “Climate SSC Member since 2008, Institute of Marine Change, Agriculture Geology and Chemistry, National Sun Yat-sen and Food Security” University, Taiwan a major collaborative endeavour between the Consultative Group on New SC Members: International Agriculture Research (CGIAR) and Christiane Lancelot their partners, and the Earth System Science Part- Marine sciences, ocean-atmosphere interaction nership (ESSP). The first meeting of the Steering Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium Committee was held 29-30 April at ICSU in Paris. Jan Willem Erisman Atmospheric sciences, linking GEC science to policy Here he chats with Deliang Chen, his successor as Energy Research Centre of The Netherlands Executive Director at ICSU.

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IGBP Network News

Kobus Pienaar IGBP Core Projects Atmospheric chemistry, environmental management The Scientific Steering Committees (SSC) guide Faculty of Natural Science, North-West University, each Core Project. The members of these commit- Potchefstroom Campus, South Africa tees are appointed by the IGBP Officers (Executive group of the SC-IGBP) and the Chairs and Co- iLEAPS – Integrated Land Ecosys- chairs are members of the SC-IGBP. tem-Atmosphere Processes Study AIMES – Analysis, Integration and New SSC Members: Modelling of the Earth System Nobuko Saigusa Boundary-layer meteorology, land-atmosphere New SSC Member: interactions Peter Cox National Institute for Environmental Studies, Climate system dynamics, modelling land-atmo- Tsukuba, Japan sphere interactions Sonia I. Seneviratne School of Engineering Computing and Mathematics, Land-climate interactions Exeter University. United Kingdom Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland GLP – Global Land Project IMBER – Integrated Marine Biogeo- Appointment renewed: chemistry and Ecosystem Research Chair: Anette Reenberg Ecological cultural geography New SSC Members: Department of Geography, Geocenter Copenha- Ken Drinkwater gen, University of Copenhagen, Denmark Physical oceanography/marine ecosystem focus Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway IGAC – International Global Atmo- Eugene Murphy spheric Chemistry Ecosystem modelling British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge, Co-Chair: Tong Zhu United Kingdom Environmental chemistry, air-surface exchange of mass and energy Hiroshi Ogawa Cheung Kong Scholar Programme, Centre for Marine biogeochemistry Environmental Sciences, Peking University, China Department of Chemical Oceanography, Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo New SSC Members: Katja Philippart Olga Mayol-Bracero Marine ecology Analytical chemistry, atmospheric aerosols Department of Marine Ecology and Evolution, Royal Institute for Tropical Ecosystem Studies, Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Netherlands University of Puerto Rico Alberto Piola Karla Longo Physical oceanography Atmospheric science, environmental model Servicio de Hidrografía Naval, Dept of Oceanog- development raphy, Buenos Aires, Argentina Space and Atmospheric Science Center, National Institute for Space Research–INPE, São José dos Sinjae Yoo Campos, Brazil Biological oceanography Marine Ecosystem Dynamics Laboratory, Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute, Republic of Korea.

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IGBP Network News

LOICZ - Land-Ocean Interactions in Cecile Guieu Hydrology, biogeochemistry the Coastal Zone Laboratoire d’Océanographie de Villefranche, New Chair: Alice Newton Villefranche-sur-Mer, France Biological and chemical oceanography Patricia Quinn University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal Chemistry, atmospheric aerosols on climate and air quality New SSC members: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Zhongyuan Chen Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, Seattle, Geomorphology United States State Kay Laboratory for Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai Rafel Simó Marine biogeochemistry, chemical oceanography Antonio Diegues Institut de Ciències del Mar, Barcelona, Spain Anthropology Research Center on Human Population and Envi- ronment, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil Products Remigius Laane Marine biogeochemistry Just published March 2009 Deltares, Marine and Coastal Systems Division, Delft, The Netherlands Carbon and Nutrient Fluxes in Continental Masumi Yamamuro Margins: A Global Syn- Marine geology, biogeochemistry thesis, by Liu, K.-K.; Department of Natural Environmental Studies, Atkinson, L.; Quiñones, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, University R.; Talaue-McManus, of Tokyo, Japan L. (Eds.) Global Change - The IGBP Series, PAGES – Past Global Changes Springer, 2009, XII, 500 p. 278 illus., 90 in color. Co-Chair: Bette Otto-Bliesner Hardcover, ISBN: 978- Palaeoclimate modelling 3-540-92734-1. Climate and Global Dynamics Division, NCAR, USA The book is the result New SSC Members: of collaboration between the Joint Global Flux Fatima Abrantes Study (JGOFS) and Land-Ocean Interactions in the Paleoceanography Coastal Zone (LOICZ) projects through the Conti- Marine Geology Dept., INETI, Portugal nental Margins Task Team (CMTT) and is written by Steven Colman 188 contributors. Geomorphology, limnogeology IGBP scientists get a 10% discount. To order Large Lakes Observatory & Dept. Geological books at 10% discount, please send your order to Sciences, University of Minnesota Duluth, USA [email protected] Please note that the subject line should read: “IGBP series 10% discount”. See SOLAS – Surface Ocean-Lower also: http://www.springer.com/earth+sciences/ oceanography/book/978-3-540-92734-1 Atmosphere Study

New SSC Members: Minhan Dai Marine biogeochemistry College of Oceanography & Environmental Science, Xiamen University, China

Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 Global Change NewsLetter No. 73 April 2009 35 The International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme IGBP is an international scientific research programme built on inter- disciplinarity, networking and integration. The vision of IGBP is to provide scientific knowledge to improve the sustainability of the living Earth. IGBP studies the interactions between biological, chemical and physical processes and human systems, and collaborates with other programmes to develop and impart the understanding necessary to respond to global change. IGBP research is organised around the compartments of the Earth System, the interfaces between these compartments, and integration across these compartments and through time.

IGBP helps to • develop common international frameworks for collaborative research based on agreed agendas • form research networks to tackle focused scientific questions and promote standard IGBP produces methods • data, models, research tools • guide and facilitate construction of global • refereed scientific literature, often as special journal databases editions, books, or overview and synthesis papers • undertake model inter-comparisons • syntheses of new understand- • facilitate efficient resource allocation ing on Earth System Science and • undertake analysis, synthesis and integra- global sustainability tion of broad Earth System themes • policy-relevant information in easily accessible formats

Earth System Science IGBP works in close collaboration with the International Human Dimensions Programme on Global Environmental Change (IHDP), the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), and DIVERSITAS, an international programme of biodiversity science. These four international programmes have formed the Earth System Science Partnership (ESSP). The International Council for Science (ICSU) is the common scientific sponsor of the four international global change programmes. Participate IGBP welcomes participation in its activities – especially programme or project open meetings (see meetings list on website). To find out more about IGBP and its research networks and integration activities, or to become involved, visit our website (www.igbp.net) or those of our projects, or contact an International Project Office or one of our 74 National Committees.

Contributions Publication Details The Global Change NewsLetter primarily publishes Photographs should be provided as TIFF or high Circulation: 6,000 copies (approx) articles reporting science undertaken within the resolution JPG files; minimum of 300 dpi. Other images Published by: extensive IGBP network. However, articles report- (graphs, diagrams, maps and logos) should be provided IGBP Secretariat ing interesting and relevant science undertaken as vector-based EPS files to allow editorial improvements Box 50005 outside the network may also be published. Sci- at the IGBP Secretariat. All figures should be original and SE-104 05, Stockholm ence Features should balance solid scientific con- unpublished, or be accompanied by written permission SWEDEN tent with appeal to a broad global change research for re-use from the original publishers. and policy readership. Articles should be between Guest editor: Wendy Broadgate ([email protected]) 800 and 1500 words in length, and be accom- The Global Change NewsLetter is published quarterly. Editor: Suzanne Nash ([email protected]) panied by two or three figures or photographs. The deadline for contributions is two weeks before the Graphic designer: Hilarie Cutler ([email protected]) Articles submitted for publication are reviewed start of the month of publication. Contributions should be The current and past issues of the Global Change NewsLetter before acceptance for publication. Items for the emailed to the editor. are available for download from www.igbp.net. Requests for IGBP Network News may include letters to the reproduction of articles appearing in the NewsLetter should be editor, short announcements such as new relevant emailed to the editor. Changes to address information for receipt web sites or collaborative ventures, and meeting of the NewsLetter should be emailed to [email protected]. or field campaign reports. These items should not exceed 250 words. Printed by Bergs Grafiska, Sweden ISSN 0284-5865