Importance of Time-Series Studies: The Latin-American Antares Network

Abstract

Continuous studies of oceanographic properties allow scientists to understand the response of ecosystems to natural cycles and to anthropogenic effects. Ocean-integrated observations from long-term time series in different sites are needed to obtain a global view of changes affecting the world’s ecosystems. The Antares network was created in 2003 with the aim of joining coastal time series of biooptical and oceanographic studies in countries around Latin-America. In 2006 this idea was expanded to other regions of the world, creating the ‘Chlorophyll Globally Integrated Network (ChloroGIN)’ (see Chapter ??). Antares develops three main tasks: 1) in situ ship observations at local time-series stations; 2) remote sensing observations to expand the spatial and temporal coverage of the in situ information; and 3) capacity building to train young scientists from Latin-America in bio-optics and biological oceanography, as well as to facilitate the exchange of expertise among researchers in the network. Antares was built on on-going projects in each of the participating countries, each with their own particular objectives, needs, and availability of resources. Maintaining long-running oceanographic time series in developing countries represents a tremendous challenge since the budgets of the institutes and funding agencies is lower, and the cost of obtaining instruments and supplies is much higher, than in developed countries. The opportunities to obtain technical assistance and scholarships for students training are also significantly lower. Despite the challenges, the network has achieved some important milestones.