UP AND DOWN ALONG HUMBOLDT CURRENT

Abstract

Almost two hundred years after the epic scientific expedition conducted in some countries of Central and South America by Alexander von Humboldt, a multi-stage scientific marine voyage tried to follow the flow of the ocean Humboldt current, named after him. The tireless explorer had identified the physical peculiarities and understood the ecological importance of this great marine circulation. The modern expedition confirmed von Humboldt’s universally known qualities as an excellent precursor of Ecology in both its aspects: the knowledge of the functioning of natural systems and the effects of human activities on Earth’s resources.