Coastal, Ocean, and Land Linkages in North American Carbon Cycle Dr. Arturo Muhlia Melo JNACP-2007

Outline General frame workGeneral frame work General consensusGeneral consensus Sources of variabilitySources of variability Impacts in biological processesImpacts in biological processes Basic research in MexicoBasic research in Mexico Collaborative projectsCollaborative projects Suggested questions of carbon cycleSuggested questions of carbon cycle

Long term variation of temperature

There is consensus in science that gas emissions are increased by anthropogenic activities (CO2, CH4 y CO) There is consensus in science that gas emissions are increased by anthropogenic activities (CO2, CH4 y CO) The Academy of science of the United states concluded:The Academy of science of the United states concluded: The most vulnerable part of models to predict Global Change are the uncertainties related to the magnitude and temporal variability and geographic patterns of carbon sources and reservoirs in coastal regions of the world.The most vulnerable part of models to predict Global Change are the uncertainties related to the magnitude and temporal variability and geographic patterns of carbon sources and reservoirs in coastal regions of the world.

North America coastal zone

Sources and sinks carbon cycle simplistic diagram

Carbon fluxes in the ocean

Biological processes

Sources of variability Coastal environments interact directly to terrestrial air masses.Coastal environments interact directly to terrestrial air masses. Due to the sensibility of wind patterns and river water flow and anthropogenic impacts due to the loads of nutrients and carbon, coastal regions are highly vulnerable to Global Change variability. Due to the sensibility of wind patterns and river water flow and anthropogenic impacts due to the loads of nutrients and carbon, coastal regions are highly vulnerable to Global Change variability.

Sources of variability Large scale phenomena El Niño and La Niña are more intense and more frequent. This impact to regional and local coastal zones ecosystems.Large scale phenomena El Niño and La Niña are more intense and more frequent. This impact to regional and local coastal zones ecosystems. Tele connections and local processes have been observed in specific regions. In particular in the Pacific and Atlantic coast of North America.Tele connections and local processes have been observed in specific regions. In particular in the Pacific and Atlantic coast of North America. Regional events Hurricanes and local processes like Red tides are more often observed in coastal areas.Regional events Hurricanes and local processes like Red tides are more often observed in coastal areas.

The ENSO impacts in different ways the Pacific coasts of America.

Hurricane Wilma

Local events Red Tides Pacific coast of Central and North America have been affected more often with harmful Algae

Tele connections Tuna fishery: El Niño event increases recruitment of Yellowfin tuna fishery in the west coast of Mexico Fish. Bull. 104:197–203 (2006).Fish. Bull. 104:197–203 (2006). Variation in yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) catches related to El Niño-Southern Oscillation events at the entrance to the Gulf of California.Variation in yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) catches related to El Niño-Southern Oscillation events at the entrance to the Gulf of California. A northward displacement of YFT seems to occur at the entrance of the Gulf of California twelve to fourteen months after El Niño events. A northward displacement of YFT seems to occur at the entrance of the Gulf of California twelve to fourteen months after El Niño events.

Basic research In MexicoIn Mexico Short term data collection for Carbon Cycle in coastal and ocean areas. Basically primary productivity in coastal zones, fewer in deep ocean waters, less studies in pelagic zone and fewer in the benthic zone.Short term data collection for Carbon Cycle in coastal and ocean areas. Basically primary productivity in coastal zones, fewer in deep ocean waters, less studies in pelagic zone and fewer in the benthic zone. Oceanographic studies : UMBRALES; IMECOCAL; PROCOMEX; PEGoTOceanographic studies : UMBRALES; IMECOCAL; PROCOMEX; PEGoT FLUCAR (IMECOCAL, CO2 in Mexican coasts of the Pacifc)FLUCAR (IMECOCAL, CO2 in Mexican coasts of the Pacifc) Coastal zone studies: Local researchCoastal zone studies: Local research

FLUCAR An example of integrative studies

Mexican institutions and MBARI, SIO are working toghether

Objectives of this project To estimate using historical satellite data and in situ observations of carbon fluxes variability of the Mexican seas.To estimate using historical satellite data and in situ observations of carbon fluxes variability of the Mexican seas. To establish a net work monitoring stations along the west coast of Mexico. This will generate time series of environmental variables.To establish a net work monitoring stations along the west coast of Mexico. This will generate time series of environmental variables. To generate data basis to improve prediction models.To generate data basis to improve prediction models. The roll of Green Gases in coastal waters of México.The roll of Green Gases in coastal waters of México. National Inventories of Green Gases.National Inventories of Green Gases. Back ground information relevant to Global Chance convention and Kyoto protocol.Back ground information relevant to Global Chance convention and Kyoto protocol.

Coastal zone of the three countries There is a new initiative organized in November 2006 in Seattle, Wa. NOAA (Cris Sabine, Dick Feely), Universities of Canada and MexicoThere is a new initiative organized in November 2006 in Seattle, Wa. NOAA (Cris Sabine, Dick Feely), Universities of Canada and Mexico Sampling will start this year. (every two yrs) from Vancouver, Can to Punta Eugenia BC Mexico. The common fact is the California CurrentSampling will start this year. (every two yrs) from Vancouver, Can to Punta Eugenia BC Mexico. The common fact is the California Current

La Paz, Baja California CIBNOR-SDSU example of collaboration Carbon flux tower (PMC Mega project)Carbon flux tower (PMC Mega project) Airplane researchAirplane research Marine station as part of the FLUCAR projectMarine station as part of the FLUCAR project

Eddy tower at CIBNOR

Mexflux (Mega project)

Aircraft research in coastal zone

Aircraft transect

CO 2 Study on San Quintín Bay, Baja California Hernandez-Ayon J.M

Sources and sinks of CO2 UMBRALES-Project Hernandez-Ayon J.M

Suggested questions for the three countries ¿What are the estimates of sources and sinks at the aquatic ecosystems in North America?¿What are the estimates of sources and sinks at the aquatic ecosystems in North America? ¿What is the temporal and spatial variation of carbon fluxes in this region?¿What is the temporal and spatial variation of carbon fluxes in this region? ¿What are the estimates of the impact of anthropogenic activities related to sources and sinks of C in ocean, coastal and land ecosystems?¿What are the estimates of the impact of anthropogenic activities related to sources and sinks of C in ocean, coastal and land ecosystems? Identify C flux interactions between aquatic and terrestrial and aquatic and atmosphere areas.Identify C flux interactions between aquatic and terrestrial and aquatic and atmosphere areas.

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