HMAP Dataset 16: Peru, South-east Pacific

Although Peru is located in tropical latitudes (between 3 ̊ 23’S and 18 ̊ 21’S), the sea off its shores is characterised by the coldness of the waters of the prevailing Humboldt Current. This constitutes one of the main upwelling regions of the world, and is marked by the highest level of primary production and the greatest fishery based on a single pelagic species (anchovy). This marine ecosystem varies greatly on seasonal, inter-annual (ENSO cycle) and multi- decadal scales. The physical factors which condition the particular climate of this region are the cold surface current flowing towards the equator, the subsurface moving towards the South Pole with its oxygenated undercurrent, the Andes mountains with peaks over 6000 metres above sea level, and the south-eastern trade winds, which form part of the South Pacific Anti-cyclonic gyre. Upwelling determines most of the biological processes in this ecosystem.

尽管秘鲁地处热带纬度带（南纬3°23′至18°21′之间），但其沿岸海域却受盛行的洪堡寒流（Humboldt Current）影响，水体温度偏低。该海域是全球主要的上升流（upwelling）区域之一，以极高的初级生产力和基于单一远洋物种——鳀鱼（anchovy）的顶级渔业规模为标志性特征。该海洋生态系统在季节尺度、年际尺度（厄尔尼诺-南方涛动循环，ENSO cycle）以及多年代际尺度上均存在显著变化。调控该区域独特气候的物理因素包括：流向赤道的冷表层洋流、携带含氧底层流向南极的次表层洋流、海拔峰值超6000米的安第斯山脉（Andes），以及隶属于南太平洋反气旋环流（South Pacific Anti-cyclonic gyre）的东南信风。上升流主导了该生态系统内的绝大多数生物过程。