ESSAS - Ecosystem Studies of Subarctic and Arctic Seas

ESSAS Joins IMBER

Since the establishment of ESSAS in 2005, it has functioned as a regional program within Global Ocean Ecosystem Dynamics (GLOBEC). With the understanding that GLOBEC would sunset at the end of 2009, Dr. Julie Hall, chair (IMBER) Integrated Marine Biogeochemistry and Ecosystem Research (IMBER) , made a presentation to the ESSAS Scientific Steering Committee at their 2009 annual meeting to explain the goals of IMBER, its structure, and the benefits of ESSAS joining IMBER, as well as what IMBER expects from ESSAS if it were to join. The primary goal of IMBER is to investigate the sensitivity of marine biogeochemical cycles and ecosystems to global change, on time scales ranging from years to decades

.Following Dr. Hall’s presentation there were numerous questions posed by the ESSAS SSC, mostly in regards to clarification of certain points. At the end of discussion, she was asked to leave the room while the SSC discussed amongst itself the pros and cons of joining IMBER. Following the discussion, a vote was taken and the SSC voted unanimously to join IMBER. Dr. Hall was delighted to have ESSAS within IMBER. She stated that IMBER would do all in its power to increase its funding in order to support all of the Regional Programs to the extent they have been receiving from GLOBEC, i.e. what they need to maintain their activities.
Two regional programs were already members of IMBER:

• Integrating Climate and Ecosystem Dynamics (ICED), which is an outgrowth of the GLOBEC program Southern Ocean; and¨
• Sustained Indian Ocean Biochemical and Ecological Research (SIBER), which is a new program that developed within IMBER.

ESSAS joins IMBER along with another former GLOBEC program: CLimate Impacts on Oceanic TOp Predators (CLIOTOP).

Other programs being considered to join IMBER include:
• Small Pelagics and Climate Change (SPACC) and
• Basin-scale Analysis, Synthesis and INtegration (Basin).

The advantages of ESSAS joining IMBER include:
• Remaining under the International International Geosphere-Biosphere Program (IGBP) umbrella
• Working with other like minded scientists
• Opportunities for comparative studies between ESSAS and other regional programs and
• Potential financial support.

By joining IMBER, ESSAS is expected to adopt IMBER’s goals, and to incorporate increased levels of biogeochemistry into its research efforts. IMBER SSC members have reviewed the existing ESSAS Science Plan, and have acknowledged its compatibility with the IMBER Science.
 

Contact us

For any questions about ESSAS or further information please contact any of the ESSAS Co-chairs

Benjamin Planque
Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway
Email: benjamin.planque@imr.no  

Franz Mueter
University of Alaska Fairbanks, USA
Email: fmueter@alaska.edu  

Naomi Harada
Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo
Kashiwa, Japan
Email: naomi.harada@aori.u-tokyo.ac.jp