Ocean geography for ocean science |
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| Authors: | Adalberto Vallega |
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| Institution: | (1) International Geographical Union, University of Genoa, Department Polis, Stradone S. Agostino 37, 16123 Genoa, Italy |
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| Abstract: | The expanding needs for ocean resources, together with the design and diffusion of new kinds of deep-ocean and coastal management
patterns, have changed profoundly in the transition from modern to post-modern society. As a result, the scientific approach
to the ocean has also undergone profound changes, which have marked the epistemology of disciplines, their logical backgrounds
and methods. This process has been driven by oceanography, which was born in the 19th century and has benefited, first, from
the monitoring techniques from surface ships, then from the exploration of the water column and seabed, and finally from the
satellite monitoring systems. While that process was evolving, geography has been involved in investigations of marine and
coastal uses and the interaction between human communities and the ocean. Since the mid-1980s, and especially because of the
inputs of Agenda 21 (United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, UNCED, 1992), oceanography has been required
to deal also with deep-ocean and coastal management issues. To respond to this need, interaction of oceanography with other
disciplines is essential. In this prospect geography has an important role because, on the basis of its heritage, it could
contribute to (i) the epistemological discussion of the building up of ocean science, (ii) the analysis of the human communities/ocean
ecosystems interaction, and (iii) the design of sustainable development-consistent management patterns. The conceptual background
and external epistemology needed by ocean geography to optimise this role are presented and discussed.
This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. |
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| Keywords: | history of science oceanography ocean geography ocean management modern and post-modern ocean |
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