LAND-OCEAN INTERACTIONS IN THE COASTAL ZONE
March `98
No. 6
LOICZ NEWSLETTER
California), one marine chemist (Victor
Camacho-Ibar, U. Baja California), two
Linking the
biologists (Barbara W. Massey, U.
California, Long Beach and Silvia
natural sciences
Ibarra-Obando, Center of Scientific
Research and Higher Education of
with the social
Ensenada), and one socio-economist
with background in oceanography
sciences
(Alfonso Aguirre-Muņoz, College of the
Nothern Frontier). The co-authors of
this article are also LOICZ Scientific
Silvia E. Ibarra-Obando, Stephen V.
Steering Committee Members.
Smith, Robert W. Buddemeier and
Fredrik Wulff
As part of the workshop we visited the
agricultural area located in the coastal
The LOICZ project is interested in
plain of the Valley. Agriculture
understanding, at regional and global
occupies about 15,000 hectares, with
scales, the nature of interaction
tomatoes and strawberries being the
between land, ocean and
main crops. This activity provides
atmosphere; how changes in
employment for about 15,000 people,
components of the Earth System
most of them migrants from the
affect the coastal zones and alter its
This is the sixth newsletter of
Mexican states of Oaxaca, Guerrero,
role in global cycles; how future
the Land Ocean Interactions in
Veracruz and Sinaloa. The agriculture
changes in this region will affect its
the Coastal Zone (LOICZ)
is not sustainable. The Valley and
human use. Such information provide
International Project of the
adjacent watershed are desert, with
a sound scientific basis for future
IGBP. It is produced quarterly
the agriculture supported by
integrated management of coastal
to provide news and
areas (IGBP Report No. 33, LOICZ
information regarding LOICZ
Implementation Plan).
Photo: San Quintin Bay
The interest in understanding human
influence on the Earth System has
extended to other IGBP projects, but
none of them, including the LOICZ
efforts, has met with total success.
For this reason, we decided to hold a
workshop and develop a conceptual
model that might facilitate the linking
between the natural and social
sciences.
We selected the San Quintin system
(30oN, on the Baja California
peninsula, Mexico) a valley and bay
where natural influences are clearly
defined and anthropogenic influences
are strong. Weak coupling between
the land and bay allow study of the
two sub-systems independently. A
workshop was held from February 1
to 7, in San Quintin. Participants
included two systems ecologists
(Stephen V. Smith, U. Hawaii and
Fredrik Wulff, U. Stockholm), one
hydrogeochemist (Robert W.
Buddemeier, U.Kansas) one
geologist (Jose Carriquiry, U. Baja

---

page 2
LOICZ NEWSLETTER
extraction of groundwater to such an
extent that the water table is
declining and saltwater intrusion is
Corals, Carbon
It was also made clear that coral reef
occurring. Agricultural production is
stresses and responses involve
almost entirely for export to the USA.
Dioxide and
communities and populations that
With this activity, the local population
are products of processes operating
is about 60,000; without it, they
over a wide range of interacting time
co-operation
would probably number no more
and space scales, with fundamentally
than a few thousand.
different controls operating at
Robert W. Buddemeier,
different scales. While short-term
Along the bay, the main economic
LOICZ Focus 2 Leader
responses will be controlled by local
activity is oyster aquaculture,
environmental conditions and biotic
occupying only 400 of the 50,000 Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide responses, the longer-term
hectares of the bay. Seasonal inhibits calcification by many marine sustainability of a reef system
coastal upwelling along the Pacific calcifying organisms and by coral reef depends on the recruitment,
coast of Baja California results in a ecosystems. This is the first major dispersal, persis-tence, and
high productivity of the ocean. indication of large-scale negative interactions of populations at scales
Biogeochemical budgeting of the bay biological effects as a direct result of larger than those of most current
demonstrates that there is an import CO itself rather than as an outcome of management and assessment
2
of organic detritus associated with its possible effects on climate, and it practices.
the upwelling. This detrital supply is was one of the major conclusions of a
an important food supply to symposium and working group These contributions were made
organisms in the bay, including the cosponsored by LOICZ in January of possible by a very high level of the
cultured organisms. No other food or this year (see also Science vol. 279, p. co-operation mentioned in the title --
raw materials are required to support 989 (1998), and both among the scientific
the aquaculture. The aquaculture http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/themes/
contributors to the meetings, and
provides employment for 350 people, coral_cg.html).
also among a diverse range of
and only 30% of the production is
organizations. The initial
exported. This activity is sustainable This striking conclusion arose from organization was by the Scientific
at its present level, because the observations that calcification rates of Committee on Oceanic Research
oysters are maintained by exchange corals, coralline algae, and coral-algal (SCOR), which established Working
of water and organic matter with the communities depend on the calcium Group 104 to address the issues of
highly productive coastal water. carbonate saturation state of surface coral reef responses to global
Intensive mixing of water by wind and sea-water, which is reduced by rising change, and especially the role of
tides ensures that the biota have an atmospheric carbon dioxide. This adaptation. LOICZ recognized the
ample food supply and that the water global, systemic, climate-related stress topical relevance to its own issues,
is well aerated.
on the functioning of reef ecosystems and promptly offered to cosponsor
interacts with the more immediate the group. The symposium received
During the workshop, we interviewed anthropogenic local threats to an support and sponsorship from the
local government officials, field important and already threatened Society for Integrative and
migrant workers and aquaculture coastal ecosystem. The findings also Comparative Biology (SICB), the
people, all of whom were very emphasize the importance of coastal International Society for Reef Studies
interested and supportive of our processes in the complex relationships (ISRS), and the Ecological Society of
work. After five days of intensive among marine, atmospheric, and America (ESA); it was presented at a
work, we are now refining a model terrestrial contributions to the joint meeting of those societies
that we hope can be used as a interacting organic and inorganic January 3-7 in Boston, USA, with
"blueprint" for similar studies in other components of the carbon cycle -- key additional support from the Coastal
coastal areas, to link land and ocean IGBP concerns.
Ocean Program of the US National
and natural and social sciences, and
Oceanic and Atmospheric
ultimately to lead to predictions and Other important outcomes of the Administration (NOAA). This
management decisions at local and meetings offered additional insights consortium of international
global scales.
into coral reef systems -- all of interest organizations, national agencies, and
to both researchers and managers, and scientific societies provided a
***
not all of them negative in their conceptually
implications. Corals, and to some and organizationally global approach
extent reef communities, were shown to to a geographically global problem,
possess numerous mechanisms for and may serve as a useful model for
acclimatization and adaptation -- future efforts.
diverse reproductive strategies, flexible A peer-reviewed proceedings of the
symbiotic relationships, physiological symposium will be published as an
acclimatization, habitat tolerance, and issue of the journal American
a range of community interactions. Zoologist. For further information
However, current understanding of please contact the author via the
these mechanisms, as well as of the LOICZ IPO.
critically important calcification
mechanisms, is still inadequate for
reliable predictions or for effective
contribution to the design of
sustainable management practices.

---

page 3
LOICZ NEWSLETTER
Charles Hopkinson (E-mail:
chopkins@lupine.mbl.edu) at the
Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods
LOICZ and
Hole, USA. The editorial board
includes Dan Alongi (Australia),
MANGROVES and Laurie Boorman (UK), John Chappell
coastal research
SALT MARSHES
(Australia), Daniel Childers(USA),
Ong Jin Eong (Malaysia), Miguel
in Australia
Fortes (Philippines), John L.
Gallagher (USA), David M. John
Eric Wolanski
(UK), Bjorn Kjerfve (USA), Els
Nick Harvey
Australian Institute of Marine
Martens (Belgium and Kenya),
Vice-Chair LOICZ SSC
Science
Yoshihiro Mazda (Japan), Gerardo
M. Perillo (Argentina), Marianne
The LOICZ SSC will meet in the
Mangroves and salt marshes are
Popp (Austria), Carlos E. Rezende
southern hemisphere this April when
inter-tidal wetlands common in
(Brazil), Jelte Rozema (Holland),
it comes to Adelaide in South
tropical and temperate coastal
Peter Saenger (Australia), Robert
Australia. Although there is
environments. They play a vital role
Twilley (USA), Joseph Vallino (USA),
considerable LOICZ related research
as producers of nutrients, in primary
Gullaya Wattayakorn (Thailand),
being undertaken in Australia, there is
and secondary productivity, in
Yuk-Shan Wong (Hong Kong -
currently no national LOICZ
providing protection against wind and
China) and Alejandro Yanez-
committee despite two attempts to
storms, in stabilising the coast, and in
Arancibia (Mexico).
form one. In December 1994, a
supporting genetically diverse
major scientific meeting at the
communities of terrestrial and
In its first year the journal has already
Academy of Science in Canberra
aquatic organisms of direct and
published a number of exciting
discussed the future needs for coastal
indirect socio-economic value. The
papers in science and management.
research in Australia. Professor
marine environment, the dynamics
These include water circulation,
Patrick Holligan (current LOICZ SSC
and the ecology of salt marshes and
sedimentation, traditional use of
member) was a key speaker at this
mangroves appear similar, hence the
mangroves, sewage pollution in
forum. A second much smaller
need for cross-fertilisation of
mangroves, the role of crabs, salt
meeting was again convened at the
knowledge on how mangroves and
marsh productivity, use of
Academy of Science in April 1996 but
salt marshes work as an ecological
mangroves as a wave absorber for
no LOICZ national committee was
engine. These wetlands play a vital
coastal protection, and heavy metals
ever formed.
role in the interaction between the
pollution in salt marshes. A number
land and the coastal ocean, one of
of great papers are in press covering
More recently, an initiative has been
the key objectives of LOICZ.
oil pollution in mangroves,
taken by the Institute of Australian
groundwater influence in salt
Geographers (IAG) to set up a
Mangrove ecosystems in tropical
marshes and medicinal uses of
Coastal Study Group which will
countries are at present being
mangroves.
incorporate both coastal
destroyed at an alarming rate
Please refer to http://
management related research
reminiscent of what happened to salt
www.wkap.nl/journals/m_and_s for
interests together with coastal
marshes until recently. Can science
information and your free on-line
biogeomorphology research falling
and technology help to preserve and
sample copy.
more within the scope of LOICZ
better manage these ecosystems? To
Focus Two. This has provided an
address this question, the scientific
ideal opportunity for a specialised
journal Mangroves and Salt Marshes,
coastal session at the next IAG
now in its second year, addresses the
Conference to be held in Perth,
important physical, ecological and
Western Australia, 30 June-3 July,
management processes and
1998. At this conference it is also
problems of these coastal
planned to team up with a group of
ecosystems. The journal encourages
PAGES researchers who have
multidisciplinary research in these
coastal interests in order to hold a
processes and aims to offer solutions
joint IAG/LOICZ/PAGES coastal
to the various problems of these
session in Perth.
environments. The journal is unique
The type of research outlined in the
in its focus on coastal wetlands
LOICZ Implementation Plan, Activity
world-wide.
2.3, appears well suited to this joint
Mangroves and Salt Marshes is
meeting. For example, the
quarterly published by Kluwer
palaeoenvironmental re-construction
Academic Publishing, a Dutch
of parts of the coastal zone in South
publishing company with a long, solid
Australia has not only provided
reputation in scientific publications.
evidence of coastal responses to past
Special issues will be considered and
global change but has also enabled
guest editors appointed. This may be
the extraction of neotectonic effects
useful to LOICZ members.
from historic tide gauge data which
The chief editors are Eric
are being used in current global mean
Wolanski (E-mail:
sea level averages.
e.wolanski@aims.gov.au) at the
Australian Institute of Marine
Science, Townsville, Australia, and

---

page 4
LOICZ NEWSLETTER
LOICZ will go into full swing. And there
IPO STAFF
Goodbye from our
is a lot of work ahead. We hope to
establish several new core projects
Project Scientist
before the end of the year, and as the CYNTHIA PATTIRUHU,
SC-IGBP stressed, the question
Office Administrator
Paul Boudreau
whether the coastal zone is a source MARTIJN VAN DER ZIJP,
or sink of CO
still needs to be
2
Data Analyst
answered. From April 29th till May
At the end of 1997 my original
JUDITH VAN BLEIJSWIJK,
2nd, we will have the 8th SSC-LOICZ
contract as Project Scientist with the
Project Assistant
LOICZ Project was completed. My meeting in Adelaide and in the next MILDRED JOURDAN,
family and I have decided to return to newsletter I hope to announce
Secretary
our home in Canada where I will take many new LOICZ initiatives.
up a position with the Department of LOICZ initiatives.
Fisheries and Oceans.
LOICZ Calendar
Professionally, I have enjoyed the
opportunity over the last three years
8th Scientific Steering
with the IPO to play a role in
Committee Meeting
developing both the LOICZ
29th April - 2nd May
organisation and research. As was
1998, Adelaide, Australia.
evident at the recent Open Science
Meeting, there is now a large body of
global coastal zone work being
Second Annual Scientific
carried out that addresses the LOICZ
ELOISE Conference
FOR MORE INFORMATION,
research priorities. The commitment
30th September- 3rd
of the Netherlands government to
PLEASE CONTACT:
October 1998, Huelva,
another five years of funding provides
Spain.
the necessary stable support to
LOICZ INTERNATIONAL PROJECT
continue the tasks that have been
OFFICE
initiated. The future looks very bright.
NETHERLANDS INSTITUTE FOR SEA
LOICZ Typology dataset
Personally, I find it somewhat difficult
RESEARCH
to leave this position that has
As noted in Newsletter No. 5 a first
PO BOX 59
provided me with many enjoyable
version of the LOICZ Typology data
1790 AB D
and valued contacts. I have been
EN BURG - TEXEL
set is made available through the
fortunate to have received the
THE NETHERLANDS
Internet and can be downloaded
support of friends and colleagues
from:
from many countries of the world and
http://www.nioz.nl/loicz/projects/
PHONE: 31-222 369404
to them I owe many thanks.
core/typo.htm for review and
FAX:
31-222 369430
analysis.
To all who have assisted me, and the
E-MAIL: LOICZ@NIOZ.NL
LOICZ Project, during my time in the
The LOICZ IPO is preparing the
WWW HOME PAGE:
IPO, I would like to extend my most
publication of part of the Typology
sincere thanks. To my friends, I
data set on CD-ROM in co-operation
extend my best wishes and a promise
with the United Nations Food and
to keep in touch.
NEW LOICZ PUBLICATIONS
Agriculture Organization (FAO). The
It has been challenging work that I
Typology data set and FAO data will
will remember for a lifetime.
* Meeting Reports are not available become part of FAO's CD-ROM
for general distribution
sequence called "Land and Water
Han Lindeboom
Digital Media Series". In this way the
data will become available for
A difficult time for LOICZ is almost Report on the JGOFS/LOICZ
researchers without an Internet
behind us. When Paul Boudreau left Workshop on non-conservative
connection and reach a larger
in December the IPO became very fluxes in the continental margins.
research community.
understaffed, but Cynthia, Mildred, The Netherlands, 6-9 October
Martijn and Judith kept it going very 1997. Meeting Report No. 25.
The current publication of the LOICZ
Typology data set does however not
FROM THE CHAIR
Report on the SARCS/WOTRO/
imply that it should be considered a
LOICZ Coastal zone Science in
static product. It will change as a
result of new demands and the
well. From here I want to thank Paul Southeast Asia. Philippines,
availability of new data sources. In
for the great effort he has put into 24 - 28th November 1997.
the near future the Typology data set
LOICZ and wish him and his family Meeting Report No. 28.
will be updated with additional marine
all the best in Canada.
information.
Now, we are eagerly awaiting the Third LOICZ Open Science Meet-
start of the new Executive Officer at ing Report. The Netherlands,
the end of April. Once the office is 10 - 13th October 1997.
completely staffed again, the new Meeting Report No. 29.

---