At its maximum extent in the early spring, antarctic pack ice covers an area roughly equal to that of the antarctic continent; by late summer only remnants remain in the Weddell Sea and other coastal areas. Thus, the ice edge zone is a major feature of the antarctic region and one that includes most of the surrounding seas at some time during the annual cycle. Productivity at the ice edge appears to be higher than in either the open ocean or pack-ice region, and it has been hypothesized that the ice edge is an important feeding area for birds and mammals. A multidisciplinary program was developed to obtain data on the physics, chemistry, and biology of the ice-edge zone in order to better understand the overall importance of the ice edge for antarctic productivity and ecology. Garrison's project is one component of this program AMERIEZ (Antarctic Marine Ecosystem Research at the Ice Edge Zone). This project is now in its final analysis and synthesis stage. This project will complete the examination of the protozoans in the vicinity of the ice edge to determine their abundance, distribution, species composition, and role in the food web. This is an Accomplishment Based Renewal.
