Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 20
Biophysical Models: An Evolving Tool in Marine
Ecological Research
Alejandro Gallego
Abstract Although they have been in use for some time, biophysical models are
still a relatively new tool in the study of the ecology of marine zoo- and ichthyo-
plankton. As the range of specific applications has expanded so has their level of
complexity and sophistication. From simple particle-tracking models simulating
the transport of zero-drag, neutrally buoyant particles, the field has evolved towards
the development of true biophysical models where the “particles” represent
biological entities with increasingly sophisticated submodels simulating their
development, survival and behaviour. Here I present the results of a modelling
experiment to illustrate the effects of increasing model complexity on the trajectory
and final distribution of “particles” (e.g. representing early life stages of marine
fish). The outcomes are widely applicable and demonstrate the importance of
selecting the appropriate level of complexity required for the specific research
objectives.
20.1 Background
If we were to pick an environment where physical processes have a major influence
on the biological entities that inhabit it, the marine environment would be a prime
candidate. Not only are marine organisms affected by the characteristics of their
physical surroundings such as temperature, salinity, oxygen and nutrient concentra-
tion, to name just a few, but they often live in a highly dynamic three-dimensional
world where they can be subject to turbulent motion, wave action, major advective
processes resulting from currents generated, e.g. by winds, tides and water density,
etc. It should then come as no surprise that biophysical models, i.e. models that
represent the interplay between physical and biological processes, are often the
This article is Crown Copyright. Marine Scotland 2011.
