Earth and Space Research

This Project Is an Investigation of the Moveable Nature of Marine Eco-regions (dynamic Biogeography) at an Unprecedented Spatial Scale in the North Pacific Using Unique Biological Datasets in Conjunction With Nasa-based Satellite Observations of Oceanographic Characteristics (currents Eddies SSTS). Large Marine Ecosystems (LME) Are Large (OFTEN>200 000 KM2) Regions of the Ocean Structured by Similar Atmospheric and Oceanographic Conditions Containing Similar Biotic Communities. They Are Assumed to Be Stationary and Mostly Reflect Coastal/ Continental Shelf Regions. There Is Mounting Evidence That Lme Classifications May Be Inappropriate for Interpretations of Lowfrequency Change Such as Ocean Warming Associated With Anthropogenic Climate Change. Furthermore Lme Often Lack Key Information on Mesoscale Variability in Oceanographic Processes That Drive Productivity Across Trophic Levels. a New Approach Is Desired. Meso-marine Ecosystems (MME) Have Been Introduced for Sub-regions of the Subarctic North Pacific Defined by Multivariate Analyses of Phytoplankton and Zooplankton Community Composition. Mme Are Tied to Some Static Boundaries (shelf Areas) But Also to Oceanographic Features Such as Eddy Formations So They May Move With Variable Ocean Conditions. the North Pacific Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) Program Has Been Collecting Lower Trophic Level Samples Along a 6 500 KM Route From British Columbia to Japan as Well as Transects Running South to North in the Northeast Pacific From 2000 to Present. From 2002 - 2007 Coincident Observations of Marine Birds and Mammals Were Also Collected. These Data Have Typically Been Processed With a Resolution of 74 KM. During This Project Additional Samples Will Be Processed at 18.5 KM Resolution Creating a Database of Small-scale Plankton Observations Across the Pacific Basin Covering Over 15 Years Specifically Chosen to Capture Potential Hotspots of Abundance or Diversity That May Be Associated With Moveable Oceanic Eddies and Other Current-based Features.