%0 Book %A National Research Council %T A Century of Ecosystem Science: Planning Long-Term Research in the Gulf of Alaska %@ 978-0-309-08473-4 %D 2002 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/10469/a-century-of-ecosystem-science-planning-long-term-research-in %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/10469/a-century-of-ecosystem-science-planning-long-term-research-in %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Environment and Environmental Studies %K Earth Sciences %P 108 %R doi:10.17226/10469 %X This report provides guidance to the Gulf Ecosystem Monitoring (GEM) program to help ensure that it is based on a a science plan that is robust, far-reaching, and scientifically sound. The report commends the Trustee Council for its foresight in setting aside funds to create a trust fund to provide long-term research support; it notes that the GEM program offers an unparalleled opportunity to increase understanding of how large marine ecosystems function and change over time. The report outlines elements of a sound long-term science plan, including conceptual foundation, scope and geographic focus, organizational structure, community involvement, data and information management, and synthesis, modeling, and evaluation.