Dr Mahlon C. (Chuck) Kennicutt II
Director Sustainable Development
Office of the Vice President for Research
1112 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-1112
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Prof Antonio Mateo Solé-Cava
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro – UFRJ
Instituto de Biologia – Departamento de Genética
Bloco A – CCS – Ilha do Fundao
CEP 21941 – Rio de Janeiro – RJ
BRAZIL
Dr Ian D. Hogg
Centre for Biodiversity and Ecology Research
Department of Biological Sciences
University of Waikato
Private Bag 3105
Hamilton
NEW ZEALAND
Prof Thomas A. (Tad) Day
Faculty of Ecology, Evolution & Environmental Science
School of Life Sciences
LSE-218, PO Box 874501
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ 85287-4501
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Dr Claude De Broyer
Belgian National Committee on
Antarctic Research
Institut Royal des Sciences
Naturelles de Belgique
Rue Vautier, 29
B-1000 Bruxelles
BELGIUM
Dr Lucia S. Campos
Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ)
Depto de Ecologia
CCS-BL "A", Av. Pau Brazil 211
Ilha do Fundão, 21941-590
Rio de Janeiro – RJ
BRAZIL
This is to be determined but will include experts on sampling processing, database management and data analysis.
Terms of Reference
Map the biodiversity and distribution of plankton, including euphausiid (krill) life stages, in the Southern Ocean.
Use the sensitivity of plankton to environmental change as early warning indicators of the health of Southern Ocean, by studying spatial-temporal variation in plankton patterns.
Serve as reference on the general status of the Southern Ocean for other monitoring programs.
Develop and maintain the SO-CPR Database and to improve access for users.
Expand and enhance the SO-CPR Survey to include more ships and repeat transects around Antarctica.
Investigate converting the Action Group to an Expert Group on CPR research.
Public Summary
The sensitivity of plankton to changes in the environment makes them useful early warning indicators of the health of ocean systems. CPRs have been towed behind ships for 75 years in the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean to monitor the condition of those systems. These have been important in identifying major changes in the marine ecosystem which have ecological and economic impacts. The CPR is now being used in Antarctic waters, since 1991, to map biodiversity of plankton in the region as well as monitor its health through studies of regional, seasonal, interannual and longterm variability in plankton patterns. Changes in plankton abundances and patterns are expected to have a significant effect on the rest of the ecosystem. The SO-CPR Survey maintains a database on plankton abundance and distribution which is available for use by bona fide users.
