Lead institution:
Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University – China
TOWER, as one of the existing projects within the JETZON programme, will focus on the formation and dynamics of the twilight zone ecosystem of the Western Pacific Ocean and particularly the South China Sea (SCS). This region is a less explored area with urgency in ecological research and sustainability regulation.
The twilight zone (between 200-1000m) of this region has not been fully investigated in terms of ecosystem structure, biodiversity dynamics and metabolic activities. Therefore, the mission of the TOWER project is to uncover this ecosystem before it is completely ruined by human impacts and climate change.
In SCS, mining of natural resources. discharge of untreated waste water, oil shipment and unregulated fishery, have led to increasing impact on the environment and life in the twilight zone. Therefore. the knowledge and data provided by TOWER project will send warnings to policy makers and inspire young generation for marine protection and scientific research.
This Project is hosted by the Ocean Decade Programme Joint Exploration of the Twilight Zone Ocean Network (JETZON)
Start Date: 06/01/2021
End Date: 31/12/2027
Lead Contact: Yong Wang (wangyong@sz.tsinghua.edu.cn)