Focussing on the importance of changes in climate processes, sea ice and oceanographic cycles, this theme will address the following key issues: (i) large-scale physical interactions (atmosphere-sea and ice-ocean) and their connections with Southern Hemisphere climate related processes, (ii) long-term trends in these interactions and their effects at regional and circumpolar scales.
Focussing on the influence of ecosystem structure on biogeochemical and nutrient cycles, this theme will address the following key issues: (i) interannual variability and regional variation in nutrient dynamics and biogeochemical processes, (ii) links between biogeochemical cycles and food web structure, (iii) depth-related vertical links in food webs, and (iv) life histories of lower trophic level species.
Focussing on the structure of Southern Ocean ecosystems, particularly the links between at lower and higher trophic levels, this theme will address the following key issues: (i) decadal changes in the distribution and abundance of key species and of the ecosystem as a whole, (ii) energy transfer to higher trophic levels via pathways other than Antarctic krill, (iii) spatio-temporal variations in food webs, (iv) links between the mesopelagic food web and higher trophic levels, (v) links between benthic and pelagic systems, (vi) life histories and interactions of mid and upper tropic level species, and (vii) determining the scale of key physical and biological process interactions in ocean ecosystems.
Focussing on developing strong links with CCAMLR and providing it with scientific data to develop its ecosystem approach to management, this theme will address the following issues: (i) ways in which to utilise knowledge of Southern Ocean ecosystems in a management context, (ii) how to take into account the complexity of these ecosystems in developing simple and pragmatic management approaches, and (iii) principles for using data for monitoring purposes.
Focussing on the status and development of atmosphere-sea, ice-ocean and biogeochemical models, this theme will address the following key issues: (i) development of physical models, (ii) life history models, (iii) food web models, (iv) complex biogeochemical models, and (v) realistic ecosystem models at the circumpolar level.
The ICED themes will be implemented through specific ICED activities. For further information expanding on the ICED themes the Science Plan and Implementation Strategy will be made available here towards the end of the year.