Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 209, August 2014

The Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela was conducted on the Algoa Voyage 209, 5 to 15 August, 2014. The Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) 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.

《综合生态系统计划：南本格拉》项目于2014年8月5日至15日，在阿尔戈阿远航209次行动中实施。综合生态系统计划：南本格拉（IEP：SB）是一个跨学科、多机构合作平台，旨在开展与南本格拉相关的科学研究；同时，它也充当着合作与学习的平台。所有项目均致力于开发一套生态系统指标，该指标能够有效地监测和理解南本格拉的生态系统，即包括物理、化学、浮游生物、微生物、海鸟和底栖生态系统指标，这些指标用于基于生态系统的管理。IEP：SB专注于生物生产力强的本格拉洋流大型海洋生态系统中的冷水域，这些水域在短期内具有固有的可变性，并对变化的天气模式做出响应。研究旨在提供相关、可靠和改进的生态系统评估，以支持其有效管理、保护和保全，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本格拉生态系统结构和功能机制及其重要性和影响程度进行评估，增强对过程研究的理解，包括气候变率的评估。