Interdecadal Variability in Biological Responses
What is the nature of the biological response in Eastern Boundary
Currents to demonstrated, basin-scale, interdecadal changes in
ocean-atmosphere coupling?
- Are there rapid shifts between well-defined, quasi steady-state bio-physical regimes on time scales of decades to centuries or is there a more continuous progression of ecosystem structure?
- How do the different Regions (I-IV) of the CCS respond-similarly or differently-to these interdecadal shifts?
Among the uncertainties encompassed in these questions are: Do
interdecadal shifts in climate lead to modification in timing or
intensity of mesoscale activity which affects recruitment,
retention/transport, predator-prey relationships, or life history
strategies of plankton, nekton and benthic species? Are interdecadal
shifts triggered by ENSO activity? How would a sustained
(centennial-scale) global warming trend interact with natural
interdecadal-scale ecosystem variability in the EBCs?