PACIFIC NORTHWEST COASTAL TEMPERATURES: INVESTIGATION OF INTERDECADAL CYCLES AND BIOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS
Loading...
Date
1998-06
Authors
Shotwell, Kalei
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Investigations regarding interdecadal climate cycles have surged in the past several years providing alternative perspectives into the forcings on climate change. The possible couplings between the various patterns of these physical processes (oceanic, atmospheric), terrestrial, and biosphere regimes are of substantial importance. This study seeks to explore the relationship between the ocean and the land-surface on a regional scale. It is hypothesized that Pacific Northwest coastal sea surface temperatures and surface-air temperatures are temporally identical, or merely offset by a time lag, with the same pattern and period. Correlation and regression analysis were completed for the chosen sites, and significant positive correlation (r: 0.843) was determined. The similar cycles of the marine and terrestrial environments have significant biological implications. The progress with and problems of biological climate patterns is discussed along with the importance of proxy indicators, and relevancy to fisheries and management.
Description
33 pages
Keywords
Marine Biology, Marine Ecology, Climate Change, Ocean Temperature