Circulation in the Seaflower Reserve and Its Potential Impact on Biological Connectivity

Lopera, Luisa; Cardona, Yuley; Zapata-Ramírez, Paula A.

doi:10.3389/fmars.2020.00385

Cited by 7 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…Despite the remarkable footprint of this current system, the circulation in the Inter-American Sea is highly variable. The intensity and extension of the currents change at seasonal and inter-annual scales and numerous sub-mesoscale and mesoscale features facilitate recirculation, settlement of larvae close to their spawning sites, and larval exchange with neighboring jurisdictions (Paris and Cowen, 2004;Paris et al, 2005;Kough et al, 2013;Kough et al, 2016;Lopera et al, 2020). Indeed, numerous recurrent gyres are known to occur in the region, notably the semi-permanent cyclonic Panama-Colombia Gyre (Lopera et al, 2020), the transient Honduras and Cozumel Gyres (Carrillo et al, 2015), and the anti-cyclonic gyre around Cayman Islands (Molinari, 1980).…”

Section: Discussion Connectivity Patternsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The intensity and extension of the currents change at seasonal and inter-annual scales and numerous sub-mesoscale and mesoscale features facilitate recirculation, settlement of larvae close to their spawning sites, and larval exchange with neighboring jurisdictions (Paris and Cowen, 2004;Paris et al, 2005;Kough et al, 2013;Kough et al, 2016;Lopera et al, 2020). Indeed, numerous recurrent gyres are known to occur in the region, notably the semi-permanent cyclonic Panama-Colombia Gyre (Lopera et al, 2020), the transient Honduras and Cozumel Gyres (Carrillo et al, 2015), and the anti-cyclonic gyre around Cayman Islands (Molinari, 1980). Thus, differences in connectivity between the hydrodynamic products reflect the variability of these surface and subsurface flow patterns, particularly around the Lesser and Greater Antilles, which affect the connectivity patterns between The Bahamas, Cuba, and the Windward and Leeward Islands.…”

Section: Discussion Connectivity Patternsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exploitation Drives Changes in the Population Connectivity of Queen Conch (Aliger gigas)

et al. 2022

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The queen conch, Aliger gigas, is an endemic and iconic marine gastropod of the Wider Caribbean region that has been harvested for thousands of years. Conch are slow-moving and require contact to mate; overfishing has reduced populations in many areas compromising its rates of reproduction. Long-range dispersal and mixing between distinct populations occur in the queen conch’s early life history stages, when pelagic larvae are transported by oceanic currents. Genetic studies suggest that gene flow between populations decreases as the distance between populations increases. Here, we assessed how the population connectivity of conch changes with spatially variable patterns of fishing exploitation by simulating larval dispersal and comparing the potential connectivity under an unexploited and a contemporary exploited reproductive scenario. Results demonstrate that reduced egg production, due to heterogeneous fishing pressure and localized depletion, significantly alters population connectivity patterns as well as the structuring of populations and metapopulations across the species’ range. This strongly suggests that estimates of contemporary demographic rates, together with estimates of reproductive output need to be included in population connectivity studies. The existence of self-sustained metapopulations of queen conch throughout the Wider Caribbean suggests that replenishment through larval dispersal occurs primarily within sub-regional spatial scales, emphasizing the need for regional and local conservation and management measures to build and protect reproductively active populations and nursery habitat across multiple jurisdictions.

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Section: Discussion Connectivity Patternsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussion Connectivity Patternsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploitation Drives Changes in the Population Connectivity of Queen Conch (Aliger gigas)

et al. 2022

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“…For this reason, this study developed a biophysical modeling approach based on Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) to quantify potential larval dispersal between MPAs in the Yellow and East China Seas. ROMS is a free-surface, terrain-following, three-dimensional nonlinear baroclinic ocean model widely used for larval dispersal in connectivity modeling [ 23 , 34 , 35 ]. This model solves the Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes equations based on hydrostatics and Boussinesq approximation in sigma terrain-following coordinates (S-levels) and a curvilinear orthonormal Arakawa C grid over the vertical and horizontal axes, respectively [ 35 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, these methods require intensive sampling and are usually expensive. Biophysical models can avoid such limitations and allow for accurate descriptions of larval dispersal on spatial and temporal scales [ 7 , 8 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ]. At the beginning of MPA design, other methods are usually not applicable due to data and cost constraints.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Biophysical models are therefore the preferred method for assessing the ecological connectivity of MPAs, especially at larger temporal and spatial scales [ 24 ]. The effects of larval behavior and topography on larval dispersal along the coast as well as population recruitment of the larval stages of species and connectivity between MPAs have been demonstrated by a number of realistic numerical models of coastal oceans [ 10 , 23 , 25 , 26 ]. These are ecologically pivotal phases of the dispersal process, but they are all correlated to some degree by the interactions of the characteristics of larvae (e.g., PLD) and the velocity fields of a particular ocean region.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Larval Dispersal Modeling Reveals Low Connectivity among National Marine Protected Areas in the Yellow and East China Seas

Chen

Wang

et al. 2023

Biology

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Marine protected areas (MPAs) are vital for protecting biodiversity, maintaining ecosystem integrity, and tackling future climate change. The effectiveness of MPA networks relies on connectivity, yet connectivity assessments are often skipped in the planning process. Here we employed a multi-species biophysical model to examine the connectivity patterns formed among the 21 national MPAs in the Yellow and East China Seas. We simulated the potential larval dispersal of 14 oviparous species of five classes. Larvae of non-migratory species with pelagic larval duration (PLD) were assumed to be passive floating particles with no explicit vertical migration. A total of 217,000 particles were released according to spawning period, living depth, and species distribution, and they were assumed to move with currents during the PLD. Most larvae were dispersed around the MPAs (0–60 m isobaths) and consistent with the currents. Larval export increased with PLD and current velocity, but if PLD was too long, few larvae survived due to high daily mortality during pelagic dispersal. The overall connectivity pattern exhibited a north-to-south dispersal trend corresponding to coastal currents. Our results indicated that the national MPAs in the Yellow and East China Seas did not form a well-connected network and nearly 30% of them were isolated. These MPAs formed three distinct groups, one in the Yellow Sea ecoregion and two in the East China Sea ecoregion. Four MPAs (all in coastal Zhejiang) emerged as key nodes for ensuring multi-generational connectivity. Under the pressure of future climate change, high self-recruitment and low connectivity present significant challenges for building well-connected MPA networks. We suggest adding new protected areas as stepping stones for bioecological corridors. Focused protection of the Yellow Sea ecoregion could have a good effect on the southern part of the population recruitment downstream. Conservation management should be adjusted according to the life cycles and distributions of vulnerable species, as well as seasonal changes in coastal currents. This study provides a scientific basis for improving ecological connectivity and conservation effectiveness of MPAs in the Yellow and East China Seas.

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Otolith biogeochemistry reveals possible impacts of extreme climate events on population connectivity of a highly migratory fish, Japanese Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus niphonius

Pan,

Chen,

Jiang

et al. 2024

Mar Life Sci Technol

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Circulation in the Seaflower Reserve and Its Potential Impact on Biological Connectivity

Cited by 7 publications

References 45 publications

Exploitation Drives Changes in the Population Connectivity of Queen Conch (Aliger gigas)

Exploitation Drives Changes in the Population Connectivity of Queen Conch (Aliger gigas)

Larval Dispersal Modeling Reveals Low Connectivity among National Marine Protected Areas in the Yellow and East China Seas

Otolith biogeochemistry reveals possible impacts of extreme climate events on population connectivity of a highly migratory fish, Japanese Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus niphonius

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