Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 216, May 2015

The Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela was conducted on the Algoa Voyage 216, 06 to 15 May, 2015. The Integrated Ecosystem Programme is a multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional platform to undertake relevant science in the Southern Benguela; also functioning as a platform for collaboration and learning. All projects aim to develop an ecosystem indicator that can be used to effectively monitor and understand the Southern Benguela i.e physical, chemical, planktonic, microbial, seabird and benthic ecosystem indicators, used for ecosystem-based management. IEP:SB focuses on the biologically productive, cold waters of the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem, which are inherently variable on short time-scales and responsive to changing weather patterms. The research aims to provide relevant, reliable and improved assessment of the ecosystem, in support of its effective management, preservation and conservation, so that South Africans can benefit from a healthy and well-functioning ocean environment. The overarching objective is to enhance understanding in process studies by assessing the importance, timing and magnitude of mechanisms and processes that influence the Southern Benguela ecosystem structure and functioning, including the climate variability.

《南部本格拉综合生态系统计划》：该计划在2015年5月6日至15日的Algoa航行216次中实施。南部本格拉综合生态系统计划是一个多学科、多机构的平台，旨在进行与南部本格拉相关的研究；同时，它也充当合作与学习的平台。所有项目均旨在开发一种生态系统指标，该指标可用于有效监测和理解南部本格拉的物理、化学、浮游生物、微生物、海鸟和底栖生态系统，以支持基于生态系统的管理。IEP：SB专注于本格拉海流大型海洋生态系统的生物生产力强的冷水区域，这些区域在短时间内具有内在的变异性，并对变化的天气模式具有敏感性。研究旨在提供相关、可靠和改进的生态系统评估，以支持其有效的管理、保护和保存，从而使南非人能够从健康且功能健全的海洋环境中获益。总体目标是通过对影响南部本格拉生态系统结构和功能机制及过程的重要性、时机和幅度进行评估，深化对过程研究的理解，包括气候变率。