NSF - nugget
NSF's support for research in biological oceanography has advanced
knowledge of ecosystem structure and dynamics in ways that have direct
social relevance. Research projects concerned with coupling between
the physical and biological processes governing the dynamics of marine
animal populations are providing a base of knowledge from which to
evaluate the impact of climate variability (both natural and
societally induced) on the structure and productivity of ecosystems.
A case in point is the U.S. GLOBEC Northwest Atlantic Program on
Georges Bank, an area with an economically important commercial
fishery in crisis. This cooperative program with the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration focusses on understanding the physical
and biological forces controlling the distribution and abundance of
four important species inhabiting Georges Bank, two of which (Cod and
Haddock) have declined dramatically during the past decade. The goal
is to understand the dynamics of this marine ecosystem well enough to
provide assessments and predictions about the impact of climate change
and man's activities on its vital resources. The new level of
understanding arising from this basic research benefits society by
enabling wiser management of resources now in jeopardy.
Last updated: December 4, 1995