Climate model projections suggest that local warming enhances surface ocean stratification and diminishes nutrient supply to the euphotic zone, thereby altering the structure and functioning of marine ecosystems whilst decreasing carbon (C) export production. Concurrently, increased intensity and frequency of extreme events (droughts, floods, surface ocean heating) have unknown consequences for biogeochemical and ecosystem processes. Further, warming of subsurface waters decreases oxygen levels and affects sinking organic matter fluxes, composition and degradation rates, whilst destabilising sub-seafloor methane hydrates. Moreover, these processes combined with changes in stratification, ocean circulation and residence time will further impact the storage of respired C at depth and hence the overall C cycle. The question arises whether the oceans can maintain their current productivity and biodiversity, and continue to supply critical ecosystem services including the provision of food and CO2 uptake? Can marine ecosystems adapt, or are these ecosystem-service capacities decreasing?
To help answer these questions we have created a partnership between GEOMAR and the University of Haifa to establish the Helmholtz International Laboratory in the eastern Mediterranean Sea as a model for Future Ocean Research (EMS FORE). The EMS is one of the most rapidly changing ocean basins on our planet impacted by both climate change and extensive anthropogenic pressures. The overarching aim of the International Lab is to use the EMS, from coastal to deep ocean, as a natural laboratory to gain mechanistic and quantitative understanding of biogeochemical and ecosystem transitions of a future (sub)tropical ocean (covering 40% of global ocean) affected by global warming and other anthropogenic pressures. For this purpose, the EMS is used as an early warning and model system to examine ecosystem resilience and sensitivity. The urgency, scale and complexity of the work requires this unprecedented international collaboration by world-leading centres.
The International Lab EMS-FORE is based in Haifa, and combines GEOMAR’s unique experience in investigating biogeochemical processes in global oceans with Haifa’s knowledge of the functioning of the EMS and it’s established in situ observational platforms. GEOMAR and HAIFA will utilize their knowledge and infrastructure for the investigation of biogeochemical and ecosystem transitions in the EMS. We will use world class facilities of the partners, and enhance and utilize multiple technologies for ocean observations, experimental manipulations and hypothesis testing via model-data fusion, including use of research vessels, long-term moorings and deployments of ROVs, AUVs and gliders, novel cameras and chemical sensors, and adaptive marine ecosystem models. Education of a new generation of early career scientists, PhD and MSc students forms a key aspect of EMS FORE, to be undertaken through a mentoring programme, joint cruises, workshops and summer schools. Early career scientists form an integral part of EMS FORE, from the proposal writing to the execution of the field and education programmes, outreach and manuscript writing. Helmholtz, Israeli and international researchers are envisaged to contribute to EMS FORE, providing further infrastructure, funding and intellectual inputs. The physical and intellectual infrastructure of EMS FORE will be continued following its 5 y funding, through leadership of its supervisory board, with attracting grants and other funding.
