The GEOHAB Science Plan (GEOHAB 2001) defined five Programme Elements (PEs, Table 1) that served as a guide to establish research priorities in marine environments. GlobalHAB assumes these GEOHAB PEs also apply to brackish and freshwater systems and to harmful macroalgal blooms. The rationale for each of these objectives and the anticipated outcomes were fully described in the GEOHAB Science Plan (GEOHAB 2001). A summary of the specific objectives under each GEOHAB PE is provided in Table 1. Here, we include a brief analysis of the present state of the art of the GEOHAB PEs at the beginning of GlobalHAB. More information on the GEOHAB outcomes will be presented in forthcoming publications (Kudela et al. in prep., Glibert et al. in prep.).
Table 1. Summary of specific objectives for the GEOHAB Programme Elements (GEOHAB 2001) followed up in GlobalHAB.
Programme Element 1: Biodiversity and Biogeography
- Assess the genetic variability of HAB species in relation to their toxicity, population dynamics, and biogeography.
- Determine the changes in the biogeographical range of HAB species caused by natural mechanisms or human activities.
- Determine changes in microalgal species composition and diversity in response to environmental change.
Programme Element 2: Nutrients and Eutrophication
- Determine the composition and relative importance to HABs of different nutrient inputs associated with human activities and natural processes.
- Determine the physiological responses of HAB and non-HAB species to specific nutrient input.
- Determine the effects of varying nutrient inputs on the harmful properties of HABs.
- Determine the role of nutrient cycling processes in HAB development.
Programme Element 3: Adaptive Strategies
- Define the characteristics of HAB species that determine their intrinsic potential for growth and persistence.
- Define and quantify biological-physical interactions at the scale of individual cells.
- Describe and quantify chemical and biological processes affecting species interactions.
- Identify the functional role of cell properties.
Programme Element 4: Comparative Ecosystems
- Quantify the response of HAB species to environmental factors in natural ecosystems.
- Identify and quantify the effects of physical processes on accumulation and transport of harmful algae.
- Identify and quantify the community interactions influencing HAB dynamics.
- Define functional groups in communities containing HAB species.
Programme Element 5: Observation Modelling, and Prediction
- Develop capabilities to observe HAB organisms in situ, their properties, and the processes that influence them.
- Develop models to describe and quantify the biological, chemical, and physical processes related to HABs.
- Develop and evaluate systems for long-term monitoring of HAB species.
- Develop capabilities for describing and predicting HABs with empirical models.
- Develop capabilities in real-time observation and prediction of HABs
References
Glibert, P., E. Berdalet, M. Burford, and G. Pitcher (Eds.) in prep. GEOHAB: Global Ecology and Oceanograpy of Harmful Algal Blooms. Ecological Studies Series, Springer.
Kudela, R.M., H. Enevoldsen, and E. Urban (Eds.) in prep. International Cooperation in Harmful Algal Bloom Science. Oceanography special issue.