Population Dynamics of Benthic-Pelagic Organisms in Relation to Oceanographic Features in East Sea, Korea

Dear Colleagues,

The East Sea (otherwise known as the Sea of Japan) is a marginal sea in the western North Pacific characterized by relatively small sized and semi-enclosed geographical features. The East Sea is regarded as a miniature version of the ocean showing very dynamic environmental conditions with respect to its physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. The oceanographic structures are largely associated with the Tsushima Warm Current and Liman Cold Current as well as East Sea Proper Water. The variations in water mass between the surface Tsushima warm water and the homogeneous cold deep water have influenced the dynamics of a marine ecosystem in the East Sea. Recently, the entire East Sea has warmed due to expansion of the Tsushima Warm Current in consequence of global climate change. The impact on and temporal responses of the biota to change, together with food web structures and benthic-pelagic processes, appear to be due to influences of climate, as well as the non-climate related past and continuing human impacts. In the absence of a baseline from which to compare past and future studies, however, it is impossible to predict effectively the impacts of anthropogeny and climate change on the biodiversity of the area. The purpose of this special issue is to publish the novel and high-quality research with respect to the below subjects as well as included other oceanographic and biological issues.

1. Oceanographic features in East Sea
2. Effect on the structure and function of pelagic food webs.
3. Community structures of planktonic and benthic organisms
4. Habitat and environment in Deep Sea Water of East Sea

Dr. Seung Ho Baek
Dr. Joo Myun Park
Guest Editors

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