Ed Ricketts Memorial Award and Lecture
Dr. Francisco Chavez
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
The oceanography of the MBNMS today and in the future
Debris is defined as the remains of something broken down or destroyed. In keeping with the theme of the conference I use the definition liberally to include carbon dioxide (CO2) resulting from the burning of fossil fuels. The increase of CO2 in the atmosphere resulting from the burning of fossil fuels leads to changes in climate as well as an increase in ocean acidity. I use historical records to describe variations in the oceanography and ecosystems of the Pacific and in the waters of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS). Past variations allow for speculation about what might occur in the future.
About Francisco Chavez
Francisco Chavez is a biological oceanographer with interests in how climate variability and change regulate ocean ecosystems on local and basin scales. He was born and raised in Peru, has a BS from Humboldt State and a PhD from Duke University. He was one of the founding members of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) where he has pioneered time series research and the development of new instruments and systems to make this type of research sustainable. Chavez has authored or co-authored over 200 peer-reviewed papers with 10 in Nature and Science. He is past member of the National Science Foundation Geosciences Advisory Committee, has been heavily involved in the development of the US Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), is a member of the Governing Board of the Central and Northern California Coastal Ocean Observing System (CeNCOOS) and the Science Advisory Team for the California Ocean Protection Council. Chavez is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of the Sciences; honored for distinguished research on the impact of climate variability on oceanic ecosystems and global carbon cycling. He was awarded a Doctor Honoris Causa by the Universidad Pedro Ruiz Gallo in Peru in recognition of his distinguished scientific career and for contributing to elevate academic and cultural levels of university communities in particular and society in general.