IMBER

IMBER (Integrated Marine Biogeochemistry and Ecosystem Research) is an IGBP-SCOR sponsored international project focussing on ocean biogeochemical cycles and ecosystems. The goal of IMBER is to investigate the sensitivity of marine biogeochemical cycles and ecosystems to global change, on time scales ranging from years to decades.^[1]
There are currently twenty four nations involved in IMBER scientific research.^[2]

Overview

IMBER research seeks to identify the mechanisms by which marine life influences marine biogeochemical cycles, and how these, in turn, influence marine ecosystems.
Central to the IMBER goal is the development of a predictive understanding of how marine biogeochemical cycles and ecosystems respond to complex forcings, such as large-scale climatic variations, changing physical dynamics, carbon cycle chemistry and nutrient fluxes, and the impacts of marine harvesting. Changes in marine biogeochemical cycles and ecosystems due to global change will also have consequences for the broader Earth System. An even greater challenge will be drawing together the natural and social science communities to study some of the key impacts and feedbacks between the marine and human systems.

IMBER Themes

To address the IMBER goal four overarching scientific themes have been identified:

Theme 1. Interactions between Biogeochemical Cycles and Marine Food Webs^[3]
Theme 2. Sensitivity to Global Change: How will key marine biogeochemical cycles, ecosystems and their interactions, respond to global change?^[4]
Theme 3. Feedback to the Earth System: What are the roles of ocean biogeochemistry and ecosystems in regulating climate?^[5]
Theme 4. Responses of Society: What are the relationships between marine biogeochemical cycles, ecosystems, and the human system?^[6]

Publications

Science Plan and Implementation Strategy (IMBER SPIS
IMBER Newsletters: Newsletters
IMBER e-bulletins: Electronic bulletin

IMBER International Project Office (IPO)

The IMBER IPO coordinates and organises international activities of the project, provides a structure for data management for IMBER projects, ensures financial management of the project, and promotes IMBER in the wider scientific community. To have further information about IMBER project, contact the IMBER IPO at [email protected].

External links

• SCOR Webpage
• IGBP Webpage

References

1. ↑ IMBER (2005) Science Plan and Implementation Strategy. IGBP Report N°52, IGBP Secretariat, Stockholm, 76pp.
2. ↑ IMBER National Network
3. ↑ Theme 1. Interactions Between Biogeochemical Cycles and Marine Food Webs
4. ↑ Theme 2. Sensitivity to Global change
5. ↑ Theme 3. Feedbacks to the Earth System
6. ↑ Theme 4. Responses of Society