SIBER SPIS sept 2011.pdf - IMBER

SIBER
Science Plan and Implementation Strategy
Sc i e n c e p l a n a n d
i m p l e m e n t a t i o n s t r a t e g y
This section provides additional background information, identifies the major science questions
that need to be addressed in the IO, and provides the basis for the planning and development
of SIBER. This will be supplemented by more detailed information for specific aspects of the
program as it progresses.
Int r o d u c t i o n to SIBER
SIBER (Sustained Indian Ocean Biogeochemistry and Ecosystem Research) is an international
program that aims to advance understanding of biogeochemical cycles and ecosystem
dynamics of the IO. The overarching goal of the program is to “understand the role of
the IO in global biogeochemical cycles and the interaction between these cycles and
marine ecosystem dynamics”. This understanding is required in order to predict the impacts
of climate change, ocean acidification, eutrophication and harvesting on the global oceans and
the Earth System. Such predictions are fundamental for policy makers to develop management
strategies for the globally important IO. SIBER is therefore, highly relevant to the UNESCO
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) mission, by providing the underpinning
science for the IOC’s four High Level Objectives, which span across the generic themes of
marine hazards, climate change, ecosystem health and environmental management.
To address this overarching goal, emphasis will be given to the analysis required to predict
and evaluate impacts of natural and anthropogenic forcing on biogeochemical cycles and
ecosystem dynamics in the IO. SIBER will leverage the sampling and observation activities of
several coastal and open ocean observing systems (briefly discussed above and elaborated
in the implementation plan below) that are being planned and deployed in the IO, and it will
provide the basinwide scientific coordination required to predict IO biogeochemical cycles and
ecosystem dynamics in the context of climate change and other anthropogenic influences.
SIBER has been developed to conform to the goals and scientific themes of the IMBER
(Integrated Marine Biogeochemistry and Ecosystem Research) and IOGOOS (Indian
Ocean Global Ocean Observing System) projects (Fig. 7). IMBER, with its focus on ocean
biogeochemical cycles and ecosystems and their interactions, is building on the successes
realized by the JGOFS and GLOBEC (Global Ocean Ecosystem Dynamics) projects. The
IMBER vision is to “provide a comprehensive understanding of, and accurate predictive
capacity for, ocean response to accelerating global change and the consequent effects on the
Earth System and human society”. By contrast, IOGOOS is a regional association of marine
operational and research agencies that aims to promote GOOS in the IO region. IOGOOS is
designed to: 1) monitor, understand and predict weather and climate; 2) describe and forecast
the state of the ocean, including living resources; 3) mitigate damage from natural hazards and
pollution; 4) protect life and property on coasts and at sea; and 5) enable scientific research.
SIBER is a regional program of IMBER, with strong links to and joint oversight by IOGOOS.
One potential benefit of this dual programmatic structure will be to promote links and
coordination between IMBER and IOGOOS.
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