Sustaining the World's Large Marine Ecosystems
Sustaining the World's Large Marine Ecosystems
Sustaining the World's Large Marine Ecosystems
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engaged in <strong>the</strong> preparation and implementation of 16 GEF-LME projects totaling<br />
$1.8 billion in start-up funding (Sherman et al. 2007).<br />
Figure 2. Global map of average primary productivity and <strong>the</strong> boundaries of <strong>the</strong> 64 <strong>Large</strong> <strong>Marine</strong><br />
<strong>Ecosystems</strong> (LMEs) of <strong>the</strong> world, available at www.lme.noaa.gov. The annual productivity estimates are<br />
based on SeaWiFS satellite data collected between September 1998 and August 1999, and <strong>the</strong> model<br />
developed by M. Behrenfeld and P.G. Falkowski (1997). The color-enhanced image provided by Rutgers<br />
University depicts primary productivity from a high of 450 gCm 2 yr -1 in red to less than 45 gCm 2 yr -1 in purple.<br />
The 5 Modules—Suites of time series, LME condition indicators<br />
A five-module indicator approach to assessment and management of LMEs has<br />
proven useful in ecosystem-based projects in <strong>the</strong> USA and elsewhere, using<br />
suites of indicators of LME productivity, fish and fisheries, pollution and<br />
ecosystem health, socioeconomics, and governance. The suites of LME<br />
indicators are used to measure <strong>the</strong> changing states of LMEs in relation to a<br />
driver-pressure-state-impact-response (DPSIR) system in support of adaptive<br />
management actions (Figure 3). The effort to better understand climate<br />
variability, to improve <strong>the</strong> long-term sustainability of marine goods and services,<br />
and to move in <strong>the</strong> direction of ecosystem-based ocean management applies to<br />
all 64 LMEs and linked watersheds. For example, climate warming of 1° in <strong>the</strong><br />
North Sea LME can result in a reduction in primary productivity leading to a<br />
decline in fisheries biomass yield (Figure 3).<br />
The methodology used for input to <strong>the</strong> DPSIR is based on <strong>the</strong> application of <strong>the</strong><br />
five-modular LME approach. Since 1984, NOAA’s <strong>Large</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Ecosystems</strong><br />
(LME) Program has been engaged in <strong>the</strong> development of an ecosystem-based<br />
approach to support <strong>the</strong> assessment and management of marine resources and<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir environments. The approach uses indicators of ecosystem (i) productivity,<br />
(ii) fish and fisheries, (iii) pollution and ecosystem health, (iv) socioeconomics,<br />
and (v) governance (Figure 4). Taken toge<strong>the</strong>r, <strong>the</strong> modules provide indicators<br />
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