The SOOS Asian Workshop on Southern Ocean research and observations

1 Background and purpose of workshop The Southern Ocean plays a fundamental role in the function of the Earth System, influencing climate, sea level, biogeochemical cycles, and biological productivity on a variety of scalesIll. Observations from the Southern Ocean suggest that dramatic changes are taking place, which are of global concern, yet because of its remote location, seasonal sea ice, and harsh environment, the Southern Ocean remains one of the least sampled zones in the world.