Large marine ecosystems

Presents research results on LMEs including identification of the major driving forces causing large-scale changes in biomass yields and health; development of ecosystem component models; and monitoring and assessment strategies and techniques for measuring changing states of LMEs. Covers contributions from 68 marine scientists from 14 countries.

This report signals a new approach to ocean monitoring and management that lays a solid base using the principles of ecology and sustainable development while transcending traditional geopolitical and disciplinary divisions. LMEs are relatively large regions, often including the territorial waters of more than one nation, thus making coordination of monitoring and management highly desirable.