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Physical-Biogeochemical Modeling of Mesozooplankton in the California Current System

AJAS · 2020 Earth and Environmental Sciences (inferred)

Patrick Kim · Southern California Academy of Sciences

Overview

Mesozooplankton play an immense role in the global ocean. They are intricately intertwined in the pelagic food web and are major contributors to oceanic biogeochemical cycling through vertical migrations. However, much is unknown about the quantitative distribution and biomass of mesozooplankton in the ocean. This limited knowledge impairs the development of global models, used to understand interactions of marine resources with functioning of the earth. In the upwelling system of the California Current System (CCS) and other productive regions throughout the ocean, these models are integral in developing sustainable environmental management policies. Here, we assess ecological dynamics of mesozooplankton in the CCS and analyze the accuracy of current simulative models of these dynamics. Using datasets accessed from MARine Ecosystem DATa and the World Ocean Atlas, climatological fluctuations of mesozooplankton biomass, sea surface temperature, chlorophyll levels, salinity, and photosynthetically active radiation in the CCS were standardized and synthesized. These analyses were compared to model output from a coupling of the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS), modeling ocean physics, and Biogeochemical Elemental Cycling (BEC), modeling biogeochemical dynamics. Observational climatologies verified the significance of upwelling dynamics in the CCS. Model outputs underestimated mesozooplankton biomass during upwelling seasons and in regions of coastal upwelling. Regions of overestimation aligned with oligotrophic offshore regions. These errors suggest that compartmental modifications of ROMS-BEC that acknowledge physical and biological diversity among zooplankton species may yield more accurate estimations of mesozooplankton dynamics. Especially with increasing perils of anthropogenic climate change, accurate models are necessary for development of sustainable fishery management, regulation of wastewater nutrient outfall, and robust global climate policy.

Competition history

  • AJAS 2020 Category not listed

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Source: AAAS Annual Meeting (Confex) / American Junior Academy of Science

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