Editorial: The use of data assimilation in coupled hydrodynamic, ecological and biogeochemical models of the ocean

The International Lie`ge Colloquium on Ocean Dynamics is organized annually. The topic differs
from year to year in an attempt to address, as much as possible, recent problems and incentive new subjects in oceanography. Assembling a group of active and eminent scientists from various countries and often different disciplines, the Colloquia provide a forum for discussion
and foster a mutually beneficial exchange of information opening on to a survey of recent discoveries, essential mechanisms, impelling question marks and valuable recommendations for future research. The objective of the 2001 Colloquium was to evaluate the progress of data assimilation methods in marine science and, in particular, in coupled hydrodynamic, ecological and bio-geo-chemical models of the ocean.