Comment on: a two-stage fourth-order “almost” P-stable method for oscillatory problems

AbstractIn Chawla and Al-Zanaidi (J. Comput. Appl. Math. 89 (1997) 115–118) a fourth-order “almost” P-stable method for y″=f(x,y) is proposed. We claim that it is possible to retrieve this combination of multistep methods by means of the theory of parameterized Runge-Kutta-Nyström (RKN) methods and moreover to generalize the method discussed by Chawla and Al-Zanaidi (J. Comput. Appl. Math. 89 (1997) 115–118)

MarBEF, databases, and the legacy of John Gray

Within the European Network of Excellence (NoE) on Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning (MarBEF), marine biodiversity scientists from across Europe have been brought together to focus on 3 broad themes. Theme 1 describes large-scale (and long-term) distribution patterns of marine biodiversity, Theme 2 examines the consequences of changes in marine biodiversity for the functioning of marine ecosystems, and Theme 3 explores and disseminates the socio-economic consequences of changes in marine biodiversity and biodiversity-mediated processes. Within MarBEF Theme 1, a large collaborative effort has produced an integrated database of species occurrence information (MacroBen), which contains data of quantitative samples of soft-sediment benthic infauna collected in European continental waters, from the Arctic to the Black Sea. Papers in this Theme Section describe initial studies based on the database. The late Prof. John S. Gray led activities within MarBEF Theme 1 for the first 2.5 yr, during which time the majority of the work described in this Theme Section was set in motion, and he continued to be involved in the work until his untimely death. We dedicate this body of work to his memory.

Indicators and information systems in support of integrated coastal zone management in Belgium, the southern North Sea and Europe

High-quality information and scientifically underpinned data is needed in support of decision taking and good governance in coastal zones. Good governance does not only pursue effective policies and efficient administration. It also aims at building capacity and commitment within society, by supporting a flow of objective and reliable information towards the stakeholders and the wider public, and in a format that is useful and relevant for its purpose. A set of sustainability indicators (SI) addressing the complexity of ecological, environmental and socio-economic issues involved in achieving an integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) can provide an answer in a format that is useful for policymakers and is an effective communication tool towards a wider range of stakeholders. In a demonstration session, the sustainability indicators (SI) for coastal zones are presented and interactive tools to search, visualize and download data, are displayed. The SI form part of a wider information system for Belgium, as developed by the Coordination Centre for ICZM (www.kustbeheer.be); the SAIL partnership in the southern North Sea (www.vliz.be/projects/SAIL) and European DEDUCE project (INTERREG IIIC South - www.deduce.eu). The initiatives are developed within the framework of the objectives as set forward in the EU Recommendation concerning the implementation of ICZM

A census of fishes and everything they eat: how the Census of Marine Life advanced fisheries science

The Census of Marine Life was a 10-year, international research effort to explore poorly known ocean habitats and conduct large-scale experimentation with new technology. The goal of Census 2010 in its mission statement was to describe what did live in the oceans, what does live in the oceans, and what will live in the ocean. Many of the findings and techniques from census research may prove valuable in making a transition, which many governments have publicly endorsed, from single-species fisheries management to more holistic ecosystem management. Census researchers sampled continental margins, mid-Atlantic ridges, ocean floor vents and seeps, and abyssal plains and polar seas and organized massive amounts of past and new information in a public online database called the Ocean Biogeographic Information System (www.iobis.org). The census described and categorized seamount biology worldwide for its vulnerability to fishing, advanced large-scale animal tracking with acoustic arrays and satellite archival tags, and accelerated species identification, including nearshore, coral reef, and zooplankton sampling using genetic barcoding and pyrotag sequencing for microbes and helped to launch the exciting new field of marine environmental history. Above all, the census showed the value of investing in large-scale, collaborative projects and sharing results publicly