Toward an ecosystem approach to ICM: assessing ecological provinces at sea by remote sensing |
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Authors: | Vittorio Barale |
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Institution: | (1) Institute for Environment & Sustainability, Joint Research Centre, European Commission, TP 272, Via E. Fermi 2749, 21027 Ispra (VA), Italy |
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Abstract: | The ecosystem approach requires that all elements of an ecosystem, and their mutual interactions, be taken into consideration
in any management effort. The selection of suitable geographical units, where this approach can be taken, requires the assessment
of ecological provinces, characterized by a coherent set of environmental traits. The marine side of coastal zones, where
the interaction between atmosphere, land and sea is not bounded by evident geographic markers, represents a critical factor
in this assessment. A coastal province can be defined by physical setting, but also by its bio-geo-chemical features, ideally
on the basis of synoptic remote sensing data, collected at space/time scales not accessible by other means. Classifications
based on indicators such as temperature, wind speed and chlorophyll-like pigments, demonstrate the identification of potential
ecological provinces in the Mediterranean Sea. The results suggest remote sensing as the ideal tool to set up the basis for
an ecosystem approach to the management of each province. |
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Keywords: | |
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