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Garavelli, Lysel
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Member of: Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
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Model
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Model
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Description
In marine benthic ecosystems, larval connectivity is a major process influencing the maintenance
and distribution of invertebrate populations. Larval connectivity is a complex process
to study as it is determined by several interacting factors. Here we use an individual-based,
biophysical model, to disentangle the effects of such factors, namely larval vertical migration,
larval growth, larval mortality, adults fecundity, and habitat availability, for the marine
gastropod Concholepas concholepas (loco) in Chile. Lower transport success and higher
dispersal distances are observed including larval vertical migration in the model. We find an
overall decrease in larval transport success to settlement areas from northern to southern
Chile. This spatial gradient results from the combination of current direction and intensity,
seawater temperature, and available habitat. From our simulated connectivity patterns we
then identify subpopulations of loco along the Chilean coast, which could serve as a basis
for spatial management of this resource in the future.
and distribution of invertebrate populations. Larval connectivity is a complex process
to study as it is determined by several interacting factors. Here we use an individual-based,
biophysical model, to disentangle the effects of such factors, namely larval vertical migration,
larval growth, larval mortality, adults fecundity, and habitat availability, for the marine
gastropod Concholepas concholepas (loco) in Chile. Lower transport success and higher
dispersal distances are observed including larval vertical migration in the model. We find an
overall decrease in larval transport success to settlement areas from northern to southern
Chile. This spatial gradient results from the combination of current direction and intensity,
seawater temperature, and available habitat. From our simulated connectivity patterns we
then identify subpopulations of loco along the Chilean coast, which could serve as a basis
for spatial management of this resource in the future.
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Model
Digital Document
Description
The northeastern Caribbean Sea is under the seasonal influence of the Trade Winds but
also of the Orinoco/Amazon freshwater plume. The latter is responsible for intensification of
the Caribbean Current in general and of its eddy activity in the northern part of the Caribbean
Sea. More importantly, we show in this study that the front of the freshwater plume
drives a northward flow that impinges directly on the island of St. Croix in the United States
Virgin Islands. The angle of incidence of the incoming flow controls the nature of the wake
on both sides and ends of the island, which changes from cyclonic to anticylonic wake flow,
with either attached or shed eddies. Using an off-line bio-physical model, we simulated the
dispersal and recruitment of an abundant Caribbean coral reef fish, the bluehead wrasse
(Thalassoma bifasciatum) in the context of the wake flow variability around St. Croix. Our
results revealed the role played by the consistent seasonal forcing of the wake flow on the
recruitment patterns around the island at the interannual scale. The interannual variability of
the timing of arrival and northward penetration of the plume instead controls the nature of
the wake, hence the regional spatial recruitment patterns.
also of the Orinoco/Amazon freshwater plume. The latter is responsible for intensification of
the Caribbean Current in general and of its eddy activity in the northern part of the Caribbean
Sea. More importantly, we show in this study that the front of the freshwater plume
drives a northward flow that impinges directly on the island of St. Croix in the United States
Virgin Islands. The angle of incidence of the incoming flow controls the nature of the wake
on both sides and ends of the island, which changes from cyclonic to anticylonic wake flow,
with either attached or shed eddies. Using an off-line bio-physical model, we simulated the
dispersal and recruitment of an abundant Caribbean coral reef fish, the bluehead wrasse
(Thalassoma bifasciatum) in the context of the wake flow variability around St. Croix. Our
results revealed the role played by the consistent seasonal forcing of the wake flow on the
recruitment patterns around the island at the interannual scale. The interannual variability of
the timing of arrival and northward penetration of the plume instead controls the nature of
the wake, hence the regional spatial recruitment patterns.
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