One hundred years of progress in understanding the dynamics of Eastern Boundary Upwelling Systems

Abstract

Coastal upwelling sustains some of the most productive marine ecosystems on Earth and exerts a disproportionate influence on the global carbon cycle and climate. Over the past century, the study of upwelling has evolved from early theoretical formulations of wind-driven divergence to a multidisciplinary field spanning physics, biogeochemistry, and ecology. This review, prepared within the framework of the ICES Journal of Marine Science centennial issue, traces a century of progress in understanding Eastern Boundary Upwelling Systems. We revisit the physical foundations established by Ekman and Sverdrup, summarize key advances in the characterization of wind forcing, ocean–atmosphere coupling, and ecosystem response, and highlight emerging perspectives on variability and change under a warming climate. The synthesis reveals how upwelling research has evolved from localized observations to global, integrated approaches that link physical dynamics to biogeochemical feedbacks. Revisiting this history underscores both the enduring relevance of upwelling systems to marine science and the continuing need for coordinated observations and modelling efforts to understand their future trajectory.