Publication Abstract

Monitoring the health of the ocean: defining the role of the Continuous Plankton Recorder in global ecosystem studies

R.R. Dickson

As the Global Ocean Observing System of the IOC, UNEP and WMO moves towards implementation (IOC 1990, 1991b), it is an essential part of the planning process to stimulate the fullest possible discussion of what the Implementation Plan should contain.

Though the Observing System is being set up to meet a list of global objectives, --principally those which enable us to distinguish the global-climate signal from that due more-directly to Man -- it is obvious from the outset that the type of climatic impact, the nature of Man's interference with the marine environment, and the amplitude of both will differ from one region of the World Ocean to another.

Thus, to be effective in following these changes, predicting their effects and identifying appropriate counter measures, the Global Ocean Observing System that we set up should not be wholly rigid in its content, but should be sufficient flexible to apply a variable mix of methods and techniques, and a varying sampling strategy to the differing anthropogenic problems and climatic impacts of individual regions.

It follows that the evolution of the GOOS plan is probably best achieved through inter Governmental discussions which are structured not only by scientific discipline or observing method but also by geographical sector, in order that the mix of programme components which Governments select for inclusion and support form a global survey that is relevant to regional problems.

This report concentrates on just one component of the present draft Plan - the use of "instrumented towed vehicles front selected ships-of-opportunity for collection of plankton and marine environmental data" (IOC 1991b, P13) - to illustrate ways in which the Continuous Plankton Recorder survey might be adapted and expanded to meet a range of perceived regional problems, and at what cost. As such it is not intended to dictate an observational strategy for GOOS, but to stimulate the discussion from which such a strategy might evolve. Similar reports covering other subject-areas are planned by IOC in due course. The IOC is indebted to R. R. Dickson who prepared this document.

Reference:

R.R. Dickson, 1991. Monitoring the health of the ocean: defining the role of the Continuous Plankton Recorder in global ecosystem studies. IOC-UNESCO, 53 pp.