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Humboldt (Northern) - Environment

Like most of the other eastern boundary ecosystems, the HCLME is characterized by general equatorward flow (e.g. Peruvian or Humboldt Current), intensive coastal upwelling and high levels of productivity (Wolff et al., 2003; Chavez et al., 2008). Through ocean/atmosphere coupling, the northern HCS is intimately linked to equatorial Pacific dynamics and is subject to small scale, large interannual, to centennial fluctuations in climate, ecosystems and its fisheries (Chavez et al., 2008; Gutiérrez et al., 2009). Off Peru, upwelling occurs at focal points along the coast; important upwelling cells are located at 9°, 12° and 15°S during summer and 5°, 7°, 9°, 12° and 14-16°S during winter (Zuta and Guillen, 1970). Surface primary productivity was estimated to 143 mg C m?3 d?1, integrated primary productivity to 3580 mg C m?2 d?1, and integrated chlorophyll 111 mg m?2 (September 1997–December 2007; Chavez et al., 2011). The Northern Humboldt also encompasses an intense and extremely shallow Oxygen Minimum Zone (OMZ). The OMZ forms a barrier to some animals, concentrating living resources near the surface. Different forms of marine life have adapted to this harsh environment, some utilizing it as a refuge from predation (Chavez et al., 2008; Ballón et al., 2011; Bertrand et al., 2011). The high production and peculiar latitude-dependent characteristics (high upwelling rates with less turbulence and reduced transport offshore) enables the Peruvian upwelling system to support highly abundant small pelagic fish populations (Bakun, 1996; Chavez et al., 2008).