Significant global scale decreases in total ozone, an atmospheric gas surrounding the earth, have occurred during the past decades. With the depletion of the ozone layer, the atmosphere becomes more transparent to solar ultraviolet radiation. It is well established from laboratory experiments that ultraviolet radiation can have a deleterious effect on living organisms. Ultraviolet radiation can affect the genetic material of cells and can affect various cellular components which regulate biological reactions controlling cell growth and reproduction. What is less known is the impact of increased ultraviolet radiation on whole organisms and on organisms in the natural environment. The focus of this workshop is to bring together scientific experts to assess the effects of ultraviolet radiation on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. A workshop report will summarize the current status of knowledge and will develop a prioritized research plan of objectives and scientific tasks. This will provide the international scientific community with a focus to address the issue of ozone depletion effects on the global system.
