title: Multi-decadal oceanic ecological datasets and their application in marine policy and management.
abstract: Long-term biological time-series in the oceans are relatively rare. Using the two longest of these we show how the information value of such ecological time-series increases through space and time in terms of their potential policy value. We also explore the co-evolution of these oceanic biological time-series with changing marine management drivers. Lessons learnt from reviewing these sequences of observations provide valuable context for the continuation of existing time-series and perspective for the initiation of new time-series in response to rapid global change. Concluding sections call for a more integrated approach to marine observation systems and highlight the future role of ocean observations in adaptive marine management.
authors.affiliation: Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science, Citadel Hill, The Hoe, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK. maed@sahfos.ac.uk
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Beaugrand
authors.forename: Graeme C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Hays
authors.forename: J Anthony
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Koslow
authors.forename: Anthony J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Richardson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D057231:Climate Change; D003246:Conservation of Energy Resources; D016208:Databases, Factual; D058735:Environmental Policy; D005398:Fisheries; D008386:Marine Biology; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D010933:Plankton; D013997:Time Factors