US-GLOBEC NEP Phase IIIa-CCS: Large-scale Influences on Mesoscale Structure in the CCS, A Synthesis of Climate-forced Variability in Coastal Ecosystems.
F. Schwing, S. Bograd, R. Mendelssohn, D. Palacios, P. Stegman [All at NOAA Pacific Fisheries Environmental Group], A. Thomas [University of Maine], P. T. Strub, J. Huyer [Both at Oregon State University]

Project Summary

Intellectual Merit - A variety of extreme climate events occurred during the period of the US GLOBEC NEP monitoring and process studies in the California Current System (CCS) (1997-2003). These provided an unprecedented opportunity to examine the full range of climate variability experienced by the CCS and its ecosystems. By relating these climate events to regional physical and biological observations, using multiple and diverse data sources (GLOBEC and other recent observations, historical data sets and reanalyses, satellites, circulation and physical-biological models), we can determine how these events affect mesoscale ocean variability in the CCS and its related target populations (the primary goal of the NEP program).

The overarching goal of this project is to characterize the linkages between basin-scale variability indicative of climate events and local changes in mesoscale coastal ocean circulation and structure that impact marine popululations, ecosystem structure and productivity. Our emphasis is on the physical circulation, upper ocean structure, nutrients and lower (planktonic) trophic levels. A unique attribute of this project is its diverse group of investigators, who represent expertise in various aspects of climate-mesoscale interactions. This collaboration will foster the development of metrics based on multiple data sets spanning a large spectrum of space and time scales.

We will initially use correlative methods to characterize mesoscale variability in the CCS and the concurrent basin-scale conditions during the field program, and then extend these comparisons back in time where possible. We will build on these correlational linkages between basin and mesoscale patterns of variability and examine the mechanisms behind these linkages from three different points of view: comparing interannual and decadal scales of climate variability, identifying and comparing different regions of climate response in the CCS, and examining changes in the seasonal signals. In the final phase of the project, we will apply our understanding of the climate mechanisms of importance to the mesoscale CCS to compare variability in the basin-scale forcing of the CCS and coastal Gulf of Alaska (CGOA). This will set the stage for the broader North Pacific GLOBEC synthesis activities to follow.

Our proposed analyses will address four of the goals identified in the NEP Phase IIIa Announcement of Opportunity: (1) determine how changing climate, especially its impacts on local wind and buoyancy forcing and basin scale currents, affect the spatial and temporal variability in mesoscale circulation and water column structure; (2) quantify how physical features in the California Current and variability related to climate change impact zooplankton biomass, production, distribution,...; (3) quantify the impacts of key coastal physical and biological processes; and (4) compare the impacts of climate variability and change...on similar marine animal populations...of the CCS and CGOA. Additionally, we will collaborate with other research teams that focus on higher trophic levels (fish, birds, mammals). We will also collaborate with teams conducting modeling studies, providing benchmarks against which the models must be evaluated.

Broader Impacts - This project will contribute to the legacy of the GLOBEC NEP program, in the form of analyses (papers), data sets, and indices for monitoring, assessing, and managing marine resources in the CCS. By integrating and analyzing multiple data sets, we will provide robust indicators of the response of marine populations to climate change, a useful tool for resource assessment and management. Improvement of management strategies will affect a large socio-economic sector along the US west coast. The datasets, satellite images and key metrics and indices will be served on a series of Live Access Servers (LAS) and OPeNDAP servers, which will allow scientists, resource managers, and the public to transparently access, subset and download our data products. These servers will be seamlessly integrated, so that data from a variety of sources and disciplines can be readily combined with a suite of surface and subsurface data products, including he Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS). Some of the satellite and survey data sets will also be incorporated into curriculum material that is under development within the OSU SMILE program. These materials are used in twelve Oregon high school districts with large proportions of students from groups traditionally under-represented in university scienc and mathematics departments. They are available for use in schools elsewhere.

NSF Award Summary

A variety of extreme climate events occurred during the period of the US GLOBEC NEP monitoring and process studies in the California Current System (CCS) (1997-2003). These provided an unprecedented opportunity to examine a wide range of climate variability experienced by the CCS and its ecosystems. By relating these climate events to regional physical and biological observations, using multiple and diverse data sources (GLOBEC and other recent observations, historical datasets, satellites, circulation and physical-biological models), the investigators will determine how these events affect mesoscale ocean variability and target populations in the CCS. The overarching goal of this project is to characterize the linkages between basin-scale variability indicative of climate events and local changes in mesoscale coastal ocean circulation and structure that impact marine populations, ecosystem structure and productivity. Correlative methods will be used initially to characterize mesoscale variability in the CCS and the concurrent basin-scale conditions during the time of the Field Program and further back where possible. Building on these correlational linkages between basin and mesoscale patterns of variability, the investigators will examine the mechanisms behind these linkages from three different points of view: comparing interannual and decadal scales of climate variability, identifying and comparing different regions of climate response in the CCS, and examining changes in the seasonal signals. From these integrative analyses, they will provide robust indicators of the response of marine populations to climate change, a useful tool for resource assessment and management. The datasets, satellite images and key metrics and indices will be served on a series of Live Access Servers (LAS) and OPeNDAP Servers, which will allow scientists, resource managers, and the public to transparently access, subset and download our data products. Some of the satellite and survey data sets will also be incorporated into curriculum material that is under development within the OSU SMILE program. These materials are used in twelve Oregon high school districts with large proportions of students from groups traditionally under-represented in university science and mathematics departments.

This page was last updated on March 14, 2007.

Maintained by:
Hal Batchelder
College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR 97331-5503
phone: 541-737-4500; FAX 541-737-2064