Preface / Deep-Sea Research II, Volume 45 (1998)

TL;DRAbstract

Ecosystems of the eastern boundary regions of the ocean basins, like those off California, Northwest Africa and Peru, are known for enhanced primary production and resulting large clupeid fisheries. In these eastern boundary regions, the basin-scale circulation brings the thermocline, pycnocline and nutricline close to the surface and often in contact with the mixed layer. Processes such as coastal upwelling then act to bring these cool and nutrient-rich waters to the surface. Photosynthesis is stimulated by the enhanced nutrient supply to sunlit waters, and food for supporting the ecosystem is generated. The source and fate of this primary production is variable, reflecting the dynamic physical character of eastern boundary systems. The physical and biological variability are most notable on mesoscale or subseasonal (upwelling events, jets and eddies), seasonal (spring transition, upwelling, winter) and interannual (El Nifio) scales. Decadal and interdecadal oscillations are evident i

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