Publication Abstract

An aim of D.H. Cushing in writing his classic work in 1975 was to encourage communication between the marine disciplines. Remote sensing is an important tool in this context, delivering high-quality, synoptic information that is widely available, easily understood and useful to many different applications. Foundations for uptake of RS are access to digital images in GIS-ready format and confidence in the accuracy of products. Service providers of the GMES project are providing rapid access to archive and real-time images, and quality is ensured by end-user validation against in situ data from buoys and ships. This is particularly important in the Case-II waters around the UK, where generic algorithms may often fail. Recent integrated observations of phytoplankton from space and in situ from sites in the North Sea support Cushing’s insights into bloom timing and magnitude. Comparisons of sediment chlorophyll with satellite-derived surface chlorophyll indicate close coupling between pelagic and benthic systems. In addition, dynamic models of higher trophic levels are increasingly using information on the size-spectrum of primary producers determined from space or from biogeochemical models.

Session #:007
Date: 01-28-09
Time: 11:30