eCite Digital Repository
Southern Ocean productivity in relation to spatial and temporal variation in the physical environment
Citation
Constable, AJ and Nicol, S and Strutton, PG, Southern Ocean productivity in relation to spatial and temporal variation in the physical environment, Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 108, (C4) Article 8079. ISSN 0148-0227 (2003) [Refereed Article]
 | PDF 572Kb |
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2003 American Geophysical Union
Abstract
The physical factors that have been reported to affect primary and secondary
production in the Southern Ocean are examined and critically reviewed. Long time series
of physical measurements from the Southern Ocean are available and there is a theoretical
base from which models can be constructed. In contrast, there are few large-scale
measurements of biological parameters and a paucity of long-term biological data sets for
the Antarctic region. The absence of predictive models for the biological systems of the
region is underpinned by the absence of theoretical understanding of the variations in the
physical environment and their effects on primary, secondary, or tertiary production. To
further this understanding, we have examined some of the major seasonal and interannual
physical data available for the region (sea ice extent and retreat rate, wind stress, and
surface ocean circulation patterns) and have examined their relationship to spatial and
temporal variation in satellite-derived proxies of primary productivity (Sea-viewing Wide
Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) ocean color data). The results indicate that there are
regional differences in the dominant physical forcings and that simple models will fail to
replicate the observed patterns of primary production. We have also used the dynamics of
Antarctic krill in the South Atlantic as an example to develop a model and explore the
various hypotheses that have been put forward to explain interannual variability in this
region. Results from this model indicate that the physical system may change in ways that
cause periodic shifts in the relative importance of the factors that affect secondary
production. The implications for the design of future research programs are
explored.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Refereed Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | Southern Ocean, productivity, circulation |
| Research Division: | Earth Sciences |
| Research Group: | Oceanography |
| Research Field: | Biological oceanography |
| Objective Division: | Expanding Knowledge |
| Objective Group: | Expanding knowledge |
| Objective Field: | Expanding knowledge in the earth sciences |
| UTAS Author: | Strutton, PG (Professor Peter Strutton) |
| ID Code: | 138636 |
| Year Published: | 2003 |
| Web of Science® Times Cited: | 90 |
| Deposited By: | Oceans and Cryosphere |
| Deposited On: | 2020-04-20 |
| Last Modified: | 2020-05-26 |
| Downloads: | 18 View Download Statistics |
Repository Staff Only: item control page