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COASTAL SCIENCE
COPAS Coastal’s mission is to enhance Chile’s ability to respond to current and future climate and human-induced changes in coastal ecosystems, through cutting-edge oceanographic research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the transfer of knowledge and technology to society.

History

Over the past two decades, oceanographic research in Chile has expanded significantly, with a strong contribution from the COPAS Center (Center for Oceanographic Research in the South-Eastern Pacific) at the University of Concepción. The project began as a center for fundamental marine science and later supported as a scientific center with a strong transfer component to society by ANID, first as COPAS Sur-Austral and, since 2021 as COPAS Coastal.

Throughout 17 years of activity, COPAS has pioneered the collection and dissemination of high-quality oceanographic data in Patagonia, established long-term observation systems along the Chilean coast, and consolidated a research and outreach hub in Caleta Tortel, one of the most remote areas of Aysén. Now in its third funding cycle, COPAS Coastal is extending its scope beyond Patagonia to address the complexity of Chile’s entire coastal ocean, while maintaining its mission of scientific excellence, knowledge transfer, and public engagement.

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Mission

The mission of COPAS Coastal is to contribute to the capacity of the country to face present and future climatic and anthropogenic modifications of coastal ecosystems, through oceanographic research, the development of interdisciplinary capacities and the transfer of technology and knowledge to the public and private sectors. Building on a solid record of high-quality research and an expanding network of ocean observation systems, we encompass the wide range of environmental scenarios and levels of transformation driven by climate change and human activity.

Vision

Our vision is to advance oceanographic knowledge through a multidisciplinary and integrative approach, with research lines that share interconnected and cross-cutting objectives. We combine field observations—supported by long-term monitoring systems—with innovative laboratory experiments and the development of physical and biogeochemical models. This integration enables us to understand how human activities and climate change affect Chile’s coastal ocean at different scales and levels of complexity. All of our research converges in MOTOR (Modeling, Technology, Outreach, and Knowledge Transfer), a framework that connects scientific research with society. Through MOTOR, we seek not only to apply scientific findings but also to ensure that knowledge informs decision-making processes in Chile’s regulatory and management systems.

Atmospheric and oceanic forcings

Principal Investigator: Diego Narváez

Study the role of atmospheric and oceanic forces in current and future scenarios for the coastal ocean using observation, modeling and AI.

Evolving coastal ecosystem

Principal Investigator: Fabián Tapia

Focuses on understanding the factors driving past and present environmental changes in coastal habitats, how organisms are affected by such changes, and the implications at the population, community, and ecosystem levels.

Coastal biogeochemistry

Principal Investigator: Marcelo Gutiérrez

Addresses the mechanisms that transfer land-based and human-based organic products to the ocean nutrient cycle and the effect of changing conditions on the microbial cycle of organic matter and greenhouse gases in the ocean.

Fisheries sustainability and conservation

Principal Investigator: Susannah Buchan

It will promote ecosystem-based management of marine living resources and support conservation strategies that ensure coastal ecosystems adapt to likely environmental changes.

MOTOR – COPAS COASTAL

MOTOR is a Technology Transfer Unit within COPAS Coastal that serves as a bridge between public and private organizations and science. It focusses on all aspects of coastal and operational oceanography, ocean literacy and natural resource management. It facilitates the inclusion of scientific knowledge in the decision-making process of in Chile.

Main services

Modeling

  • Platform for modeling coastal circulation, atmospheric dynamics, ecosystems, populations, and individuals.
  • Oceanographic modeling applied to coastal hydrodynamics for forecasting winds, waves, and currents (in development).

Technology development

  • Design and development of oceanographic equipment and instruments for applications in aquaculture, fisheries, coastal dynamics, and port operations.
  • Oceanographic buoy systems with integrated sensors (in development).
  • Ocean acoustic measurements.

Outreach and education

  • SOS Ocean Program for teachers, science communicators, and tour operators interested in ocean literacy and climate change.
  • Development of Environmental and Tourism Interpretation Centers.
  • Educational and outreach materials to promote Ocean Literacy.

Public service and natural resources

  • Public policy proposals for Chile and Latin America on fisheries, aquaculture, climate change adaptation, management areas, benthic resources, coastal marine spaces, and marine spatial planning.
  • Technical consulting in fisheries, human impacts on the ocean, ecosystem-based approaches, and climate change adaptation.
  • Diploma Program on Climate Change Adaptation in Fisheries and Aquaculture (E-Learning).
  • Laboratory for detection and analysis of biotoxins in shellfish and microalgae samples.
  • Culture collection and capabilities for conducting molecular assays and bioprocesses using toxic microalgae.

Cumulative indicators

Researchers
0
Female researchers
0 %
Postdoctoral fellows
0
Undergraduate and graduate students
0
Center fellows
0
Professionals
0
Publications during the Coastal Phase
0
Total publications (2008–2024)
0

Organizational chart of COPAS Coastal

Contact Information – COPAS Coastal

Publications

Contact Information – COPAS Coastal

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