IMBER
Integrated Marine Biogeochemistry and Ecosystem Research

www.imber.info/

Type of Structure:	program
Regional Scope :	global
Parent Organisations :	IGBP, SCOR
Child Organisations :
Duration :	2001 to present
Contact Address :	Dr. Edward R. Urban Executive Director College of Marine & Earth Studies SCOR Secretariat University of Delaware, CEOE Robinson Hall Newark, DE 19716 United States of America Phone: +1 302 831 7011 FAX: +1 302 831 7012 e-Mail: ed.urban(at)scor-int.org URL: http://www.scor-int.org/

holding an official function in IMBER

Objectives of IMBER:

The goal of the IMBER Project is to understand how interactions between marine biogeochemical cycles and ecosystems respond to and force global change.

To address the IMBER goal, four scientific themes, each including several issues, have been identified:
Theme 1. Key Processes: What are the key marine biogeochemical cycles, ecosystem processes, and their interactions, that will be impacted by global change?
Issues:

Sources and sinks in marine biogeochemical cycles and how these impact macro- and micronutrient stoichiometry;

Relationships between biodiversity, structure, function, and stability of marine food webs; and

Interactions between biogeochemical cycles and the structure, function and dynamics of food webs.

Theme 2. Sensitivity to Global Change: How will key marine biogeochemical cycles, ecosystems and their interactions, respond to global change?
Issues:

Impact of climate-induced changes in circulation, ventilation and stratification on marine biogeochemical cycles and ecosystems;

Response of marine biogeochemical cycles, ecosystems and their interactions, to increasing anthropogenic CO2 and changing pH; and

Response of marine biogeochemical cycles, ecosystems, and their interactions, to changes in inputs of macro- amd micronutrients.

Theme 3. Interactions with the Earth System: What is the role of the ocean biogeochemistry and ecosystems in regulating climate?
Issues:

Oceanic store of anthropogenic CO2;

The role of hypoxia / anoxia in the oceanic nitrogen cycle; and

Direct ecosystem feedbacks on ocean physics and climate.

Theme 4. Responses of Society: What are the relationships between marine biogeochemical cycles, ecosystems, and the human system?
Issues:

Human lifestyle effects on the state of the ocean; and

Mitigative and adaptive policies that could reduce the impact of global change on society. The goal of the IMBER Project is:
To understand how interactions between marine biogeochemical cycles and ecosystems respond to and force global change

about IMBER

Last update: 3/4/11

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