Looking back in order to predict the future of marine ecosystems

The future sustainability of food production in the seas will be the topic for discussion at the 25th annual Plymouth Marine Science Lecture at Plymouth University this week.

Emeritus Professor and Director of the Marine Research Institute at the University of Cape Town, John G Field will discuss the developments of using satellite remote sensing, information technology, community models, and molecular biology in order to predict how climate change may affect the oceans.

Professor Field, a former trustee and scientific advisor to the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, will offer some idea of how we can expect marine science to develop over the next two or three decades and estimate plankton production and fish carrying capacity, managing fisheries, and early warning systems for red tides. The problems of projecting ecosystem changes under scenarios of global change will also be discussed.

Professor Field’s specialist interests include modelling foodwebs leading to fisheries, and the application of satellite remote sensing to understanding ecosystem variability, and ecosystem-based fisheries management.

Plymouth University Marine Institute Director, Martin Attrill, said: “The sustainability of our seas is a global issue, but one that resonates even deeper in the South West.

“We have established Plymouth as a centre for research excellence in marine, so this is a real opportunity for people to engage with issues that affect us all.”

It starts at 6.30pm on Wednesday 21 September 2011 in the Sherwell Upper Lecture Theatre at Plymouth University.

The lecture is open to staff, students and members of the public.