Marine plant dispersal and connectivity measures differ in their sensitivity to biophysical model parameters

Schlaefer, Jodie, Carter, Alexandra, Choukroun, Severine, Coles, Robert, Critchell, Kay, Lambrechts, Jonathan, Rasheed, Michael, Tol, Samantha, and Grech, Alana (2022) Marine plant dispersal and connectivity measures differ in their sensitivity to biophysical model parameters. Environmental Modelling & Software, 149. 105313.

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Abstract

Biophysical models simulate dispersal and connectivity in marine environments by combining numerical models that represent water circulation with biological parameters that define the attributes of species. The effects of parameters, such as the number of particles released to simulate the trajectories of individual organisms, is potentially large but rarely tested. We present a framework to measure the optimal number of particles required to capture variability in dispersal and connectivity of the marine plants, seagrasses. We found that the number of optimal release particles per element (or grid cell) for dispersal estimates varied with seagrass habitat type, season, and physical parameters of the modelled propagules (i.e., wind drag). Connectivity metrics were comparatively much less sensitive, requiring lower particle numbers to achieve stable results. We provide guidance on important factors to consider when determining the optimal number of particles required to robustly predict dispersal and connectivity in biophysical models of marine plants.

Item ID: 71386
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1873-6726
Keywords: Biophysical model, Connectivity, Dispersal, Lagrangian particles, Individual based models, Seagrass, Torres Strait
Copyright Information: © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
Funders: Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies (ARC CoE Coral Reef Studies), James Cook University (JCU), Ian Potter Foundation (IPF), SeaWorld Research and Rescue Foundation (SWRRF)
Date Deposited: 28 Jan 2022 00:23
FoR Codes: 41 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 4102 Ecological applications > 410203 Ecosystem function @ 100%
SEO Codes: 18 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT > 1805 Marine systems and management > 180501 Assessment and management of benthic marine ecosystems @ 50%
18 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT > 1805 Marine systems and management > 180506 Oceanic processes (excl. in the Antarctic and Southern Ocean) @ 50%
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