interactions between oceanography and marine top predators at a frontal system off the north...
DESCRIPTION
Sam Cox, Plymouth University, with CB Embling, PJ Hosegood and SN Ingram (Plymouth University) and SC Votier (Exeter University)TRANSCRIPT
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Sam L Cox1
Embling CB1; Hosegood PJ1; Ingram SN1; Votier SC2
1Plymouth University, UK 2Exeter University, UK
Email: [email protected]
Interactions between oceanography and marine
top predators at a frontal system off the North
Cornwall coast
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Predator foraging
Nutrients
Sunlight
Phytoplankton
Zooplankton
Fish
Tidal currents and
water column structure
? ?
Marine
predators
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Study site and species
Wavehub survey site
Morus bassanus
Delphinus delphis
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Results: Chlorophyll production
P < 0.001 (df = 2)
P < 0.05 (df = 1)
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Chlorophyll production in a frontal region
Front
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Spring tidal conditions.
Turbulence
Chlorophyll production in a frontal region
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Spring tidal conditions.
Both sites fully mixing no stratification.
Turbulence Temperature
Chlorophyll production in a frontal region
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Spring tidal conditions.
Both sites fully mixing no stratification.
Low levels of chlorophyll production.
Turbulence Temperature Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll production in a frontal region
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Neap tidal conditions.
Turbulence
Chlorophyll production in a frontal region
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Neap tidal conditions.
Both sites show some level of stratification and water column stability.
Turbulence Temperature
Chlorophyll production in a frontal region
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Neap tidal conditions.
Both sites show some level of stratification and water column stability.
Band of high chlorophyll production just below thermocline.
Turbulence Temperature Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll production in a frontal region
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Conclusions
Within the wavehub frontal region, chlorophyll production important
to common dolphins and gannets at fine scales.
Variation in chlorophyll production is driven by the movement of the
front and its associated water mixing properties.
Interactions between top predators and the environment are complex
and not always direct.