Modelling Physical-Biological Coupling In The Ocean
by James E. Eckman
The first step in launching U.S. GLOBEC was to initiate a number of
modelling studies. It was argued that modelling could help guide future
field studies, and resolve certain key questions about what measurements
need to be taken, at what resolution, and under what conditions. Six
independent modelling projects were initiated as a result of an RFP in
early 1990. Investigators supported for these modelling studies were
encouraged to meet jointly on occasion to keep each other appraised of
progress being made via formal presentations from each program. The
most recent meeting was held in March, 1993 at the Southwest Fisheries
Center of the National Marine Fisheries Service in La Jolla, California.
Ten presentations were made at this meeting by U.S. GLOBEC researchers,
and by other modellers carrying out related research programs. Topical
Studies in Oceanography, an affiliated journal of Deep Sea Research
devoted to publishing groups of related papers as special issues, agreed
to publish papers resulting from the presentations delivered at the La
Jolla meeting. These papers provide examples of the broader program of
research being carried out by each research team as part of U.S.
GLOBEC's initial modelling studies. The issue will be published in
early 1994.