Difference between revisions of "SCOR WG138 Introduction"
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== Rationale == | == Rationale == | ||
| − | Planktic foraminifera are the major source of proxy information for reconstructing past changes in ocean biological, chemical and physical parameters. Species assemblages and the geochemical composition of shell calcite provide much of the primary paleoenvironmental information used to reconstruct past oceanic temperature, salinity, productivity and changes in the atmospheric hydrological system. These proxies are commonly based on observed correlations between an environmental parameter in the modern ocean and the geochemical or assemblage distribution data from recent ocean sediments. However, understanding such empirical relationships at the bio-physico-chemical level, and quantification of the relevant ecological components influencing a signal are generally not sufficient for an optimal application of the parameter-proxy relationships. An integrated understanding of these processes is necessary for correctly quantifying past ocean physico-chemistry and determining the effect of ongoing ocean change in terms of thermohaline circulation and ocean acidification on the calcification of these organisms. | + | [[WG138:Planktic_foraminifera| Planktic foraminifera]] are the major source of proxy information for reconstructing past changes in ocean biological, chemical and physical parameters. Species assemblages and the geochemical composition of shell calcite provide much of the primary paleoenvironmental information used to reconstruct past oceanic temperature, salinity, productivity and changes in the atmospheric hydrological system. These proxies are commonly based on observed correlations between an environmental parameter in the modern ocean and the geochemical or assemblage distribution data from recent ocean sediments. However, understanding such empirical relationships at the bio-physico-chemical level, and quantification of the relevant ecological components influencing a signal are generally not sufficient for an optimal application of the parameter-proxy relationships. An integrated understanding of these processes is necessary for correctly quantifying past ocean physico-chemistry and determining the effect of ongoing ocean change in terms of thermohaline circulation and ocean acidification on the calcification of these organisms. |
Given the large amount of recent research, the lack of any synthetic work for two decades and the upcoming significant generation shift, we believe it is time to integrate the broad knowledge from different (bio-physico-chemical) disciplines, which relate to modern planktic foraminifera. They include 1) their spatial and temporal distribution in the world ocean, 2) their calcification mechanisms, 3) thebiological and chemical controls on their shell chemistry and 4) their ecophenotypical and genotypical variability. Experts studying in these areas of plankic foraminiferal ecology, biology and chemistry often work on an individual basis and interact and collaborate occasionally, but have not yet fully integrated to address the fundamental issues in this research area in a coordinated way. The proposed working group would provide a mechanism to make this happen as well as to provide a platform to involve young scientists as well as researchers from developing countries. | Given the large amount of recent research, the lack of any synthetic work for two decades and the upcoming significant generation shift, we believe it is time to integrate the broad knowledge from different (bio-physico-chemical) disciplines, which relate to modern planktic foraminifera. They include 1) their spatial and temporal distribution in the world ocean, 2) their calcification mechanisms, 3) thebiological and chemical controls on their shell chemistry and 4) their ecophenotypical and genotypical variability. Experts studying in these areas of plankic foraminiferal ecology, biology and chemistry often work on an individual basis and interact and collaborate occasionally, but have not yet fully integrated to address the fundamental issues in this research area in a coordinated way. The proposed working group would provide a mechanism to make this happen as well as to provide a platform to involve young scientists as well as researchers from developing countries. | ||
