Long-term Measurements
The MECN seeks to maintain and enhance existing long-term
research programmes and to restart important discontinued
long-term research programmes. During the pilot phase, funding
was obtained to acheive these aims in three areas: Plymouth
(E1, L5 & L4 series), Cullercoats (Dove series) and the
Isle of Man (Cypris, Port Erin, 54°N). Details of these times series are given below. For detailed descriptions of many of the MECN time series please chapter 2 of the report "The evaluation of time series: their scientific value and contribution to policy needs" (2006).
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Map showing partner locations around the U.K
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Plymouth long-term time series
Station E1 is situated approximately 20 nautical miles from
Plymouth along a transect which also includes the stations L4
and L5. The MBA started collecting data at E1 in 1902 and continued
until funding was withdrawn in 1987. At this time sampling at
the inshore station of L4 was initiated by PML. Throughout the
years various parameters have been measured at these stations
(temperature, salinity, nutrients, zooplankton, phytoplankton,
chlorophyll, benthos). The length of the Plymouth series makes
these data essential for showing environmental change over decadal
scales. Through the MECN, sampling at stations E1 and L5 has
been restarted by a collaboration of Plymouth partners: MBA,
PML and SAHFOS. Temperature, salinity, nutrients, phytoplankton
and zooplankton are sampled on a monthly basis at E1 and L5.
Additionally, the L4 survey has been enhanced by including nutrient
sampling.
Dove long-term time series
The Dove Marine Laboratory at Cullercoats maintains long-term
time series from three sampling sites: stations Z (6 miles offshore),
P (12 miles offshore) and M1 (6 miles offshore). Zooplankton
sampling at station Z was intiated by Evans in 1968 and benthic
sampling at stations P and M1 was instigated by Buchanan in
1971-72. Studies of these series show important environmental
changes related to basin-scale climatic forcing and ecosystem
effects of fishing. Through the MECN continued collection, processing
and analysis of the samples has been made possible.
Isle of Man long-term time series
Port Erin Marine Laboratory originally instigated time series
at three stations and a transect across the Irish Sea. The
longest of these series started in 1904. Temperature, salinity,
oxygen, nutrients and chlorophyll are measured. Following the closure of Port Erin Marine Laboratory, responsibility for the time series has been subsumed by the Isle of Man Government Laboratory (www.gov.im/dlge/enviro/govlabs/marine_water.xml).
