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Between control and complexity: opportunities and challenges for marine mesocosms
Author(s) -
Sagarin Raphael D,
Adams John,
Blanchette Carol A,
Brusca Richard C,
Chorover Jon,
Cole Julia E,
Micheli Fiorenza,
MunguiaVega Adrian,
Rochman Chelsea M,
Bonine Kevin,
Haren Joost,
Troch Peter A
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
frontiers in ecology and the environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.918
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1540-9309
pISSN - 1540-9295
DOI - 10.1002/fee.1313
Subject(s) - mesocosm , ecosystem , scale (ratio) , computer science , marine ecosystem , environmental resource management , ecology , environmental science , data science , biology , geography , cartography
Marine ecologists have a wide array of tools with which to study complex and dynamic systems, but there are cases where neither simple, highly controlled experiments nor largely uncontrolled, more complex field observations provide adequate inferential power. In such cases, mesocosm studies in marine systems may help bridge the gap. Mesocosm studies can facilitate research ranging from basic biology to multifactorial ecosystem studies that involve observation, perturbation, validation, calibration, long‐term studies, and testing of new technologies. Although scale, closed boundaries, biodiversity levels, and replication can impose challenges on mesocosm research, these parameters can also help to define research opportunities that are uniquely suited to such controlled environments. Finally, we provide examples of successful marine mesocosm research and discuss opportunities for future work.