Introduction to An Ecosystem Modeling Workshop Co-sponsored by CaRA, GCOOS-RA, GOMA and SECOORA

1. Introduction to An Ecosystem Modeling Workshop Co-sponsored by CaRA, GCOOS-RA, GOMA and SECOORA Ann E. Jochens GCOOS Regional Coordinator on behalf of Worth D. Nowlin, Jr. Chair, GCOOS-RA Board of Directors Texas A&M University College Station, Texas St. Petersburg, FL 14 October 2009

2. http://gulfofmexicoalliance.org/ AND http://gcoos.org/ http://cara.uprm.edu/federation.html http://www.secoora.org/

3. http://ioos.gov/ http://www.usnfra.org/

4. Topics • Workshop Objectives • Agenda • Roles of Session Moderators and Reporters • Workshop Deliverables

5. Workshop Objectives (1) • To discuss issues/problems that ecosystem models are expected to address • To review ecosystem modeling activities underway in the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and southeastern U.S. coastal waters, including estuaries and bays • To identify existing weaknesses, theoretical constraints, and needed advances in ecosystem modeling

6. Workshop Objectives (2) • To identify and prioritize marine observations and products needed for ecosystem modeling • To advance a unified, coordinated program of ecosystem modeling for the region

7. Workshop Agenda • Discussion of six themes—three each on first and second days—each discussion introduced by a speaker • Each discussion session will have a moderator and a reporter • Plenary review on last morning of key points from each discussion session • Reception on the evening of Thursday, October 15

8. Roles of Moderators and Reporters • The functions of the moderators are to: - Encourage wide participation in the discussion - Maintain focus on the topic of discussion - Maintain order • The role of the reporter is to set down the key points uncovered in the discussion and to present them in plenary on the morning of the last day.

9. Workshop Deliverables (1) • A list of scientific and environmental issues that ecosystem models are expected to address • An initial list of ecosystem modelers active in this region with brief descriptions of their interest areas. Each invitee was asked to prepare a one-page information sheet giving contact and biographical information as well as current interests and projects.

10. Template for provision of information There are six parts to the information sought on the one-pager: 1) Name, affiliation, contact information 2) Picture [right-justified from (1)] 3) One-paragraph biographical sketch 4) Research interests (one paragraph) 5) Image showing area of research 6) Titles of current research projects

11. Workshop Deliverables (2) • Prioritized list of observations and products needed by ecosystem modelers • Suggested pilot projects to advance the development of ecosystem modeling • An approach to a coordinated program of ecosystem modeling for the CaRA, GCOOS, and SECOORA regions

13. GCOOS Memorandum of Agreement http://gcoos.tamu.edu/RAdocs/memorandum.html

14. Fill out and sign the last page of the MoA Fax to Worth Nowlin at 979-847-8879 or Scan and email to Susan Martin at srmartin@tamu.edu

15. Questions?