The U.S. GLOBEC Georges Bank Program is a large multi- disciplinary multi-year oceanographic effort. The proximate goal is to understand the population dynamics of key species on the Bank - Cod, Haddock, and two species of zooplankton (Calanus finmarchicus and Pseudocalanus) - in terms of their coupling to the physical environment and in terms of their predators and prey. The ultimate goal is to be able to predict changes in the distribution and abundance of these species as a result of changes in their physical and biotic environment as well as to anticipate how their populations might respond to climate change.
The effort is substantial, requiring broad-scale surveys of the entire Bank, and process studies which focus both on the links between the target species and their physical environment, and the determination of fundamental aspects of these species' life history (birth rates, growth rates, death rates, etc).
Equally important are the modelling efforts that are ongoing which seek to provide realistic predictions of the flow field and which utilize the life history information to produce an integrated view of the dynamics of the populations.
The U.S. GLOBEC Georges Bank Executive Committee (EXCO) provides program leadership and effective communication with the funding agencies.
Lead Principal Investigator: Peter H. Wiebe
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI)
BCO-DMO Data Manager: Ms Dicky Allison
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI BCO-DMO)
BCO-DMO Data Manager: Nancy Copley
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI BCO-DMO)
BCO-DMO Data Manager: Robert C. Groman
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI BCO-DMO)