H-7 



2. RESEARCH PROGRAMMES 



2.1. Introduction 



This section of the report describes the individual lines of research which are necessary for 

 an understanding of the dynamics of the Antarctic marine ecosystem and for the conservation 

 of the hving resources. The following sub-sections describe the proposals in respect to the main 

 elements and processes of the system. Emphasis has been given to those elements which are 

 believed to contribute most to the general flow of material and energy through the higher 

 trophic levels, or are currently under exploitation or have potential for exploitation. This has 

 inevitably meant that some elements and processes of considerable scientific interest have 

 presently had to be neglected. So, although there is no section dealing with the benthos, this 

 does not imply that research on benthic community structure and productivity is unimportant. 

 Throughout the proposals, links between the benthic and pelagic communities have been 

 emphasized. Benthic communities are important in recycling nutrients, and benthic species 

 provide the food source for demersal fish populations. The role of benthic animals as consumers 

 of kiill also needs to be elucidated. 



While an understanding of the trophodynamics of the Southern Ocean ecosystem is vital 

 from the viewpoint of resource management and conservation, it should be stressed that we 

 have a unique opportunity to contribute to our understanding of marine ecosystem processes as 

 a whole. Detailed studies combined with the modelling investigations described below can lead 

 to significant advances in our knowledge of ocean processes. 



Inevitably the proposals for different stocks have developed to different levels of detail. 

 Following the long history of whaling, research on whales and the population dynamics of 

 whales are well advanced. Over the past few years in particular, whale scientists have been 

 actively engaged for the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and other organizations in 

 reviewing the status of whale research, and drawing up a comprehensive international 

 programme of whale studies. In spite of large-scale and in-depth studies of krill there are still 

 outstanding problems. It has, therefore, been much easier to draw up a balanced and detailed 

 programme for whales than for krill. It must also be emphasized that the krill programme (and 

 indeed most other elements in the BIOMASS programme) will be modified in respect to specific 

 topics as the programme develops and our knowledge of krill increases. 



2.2 Modelling 



A whole ecosystem perspective is essential to the understanding and careful use of living 

 resources in Antarctic waters, but it is not easy to develop this perspective from the usual 

 starting point of observation of one particular element in the system. One method of tackling 

 the work of understanding the whole ecosystem is the development of suitable models. They 

 are particularly useful for ensuring a systematic approach to research and exploring the logical 

 conclusion of certain hypotheses. Models also provide an ecologically meaningful framework 

 for organizing, analysing, and integrating data of different types and from various sources. The 

 power of modern computers allows highly complex situations to be handled. We already know 

 where additional observations can be most productive. Considering such observations in an 

 ecosystem context can provide guidance to those concerned with the management of individual 

 resources such as whales, seals, fishes, and krill. 



Two levels of modelling are appropriate for study of Antarctic waters: whole ecosystem 

 and detailed sub-models. The development of a preliminary whole ecosystem model requires 



