Integrating field methods and numerical models to quantify the links between larval transport, connectivity, and population dynamics

这个实地和模型相结合的研究项目旨在解决基本的、前沿的问题，这些问题将显著提高我们对浮游生物中物理-生物相互作用的理解，并量化远洋生命阶段如何影响种群动态。本研究将整合并应用野外方法和数值模拟的技术进步，研究和比较东方牡蛎（Crassostrea virginica）的循环模式、幼虫运输、亚种群连通性和种群动态对环境变化和栖息地改变的响应。该项目提供的信息将大大加强牡蛎的恢复和管理。物理-生物相互作用是理解鱼类、双壳类和甲壳类动物早期生活史和影响它们在繁殖种群中招募的年际变化过程的一个组成部分。建模和现场结合的方法建立在现有的最先进的模型基础上，它应用了一种新技术，将大大提高我们调查原位双壳类幼虫动态的能力，它将产生关于牡蛎早期生命（产卵时间，幼虫行为）的关键信息，这对于增强我们对招募过程的理解和预测是必要的。该研究还将通过在幼虫运输和整个生命周期模型之间建立定量联系，促进我们对具有远洋生命阶段的生物种群动态的理解。在此过程中，它将更好地了解幼虫运输、不同珊瑚礁系统的连通性、成虫生长、死亡率和配子生产之间的相互关系和相对重要性，以及这些关系如何受到物理条件和栖息地变化的影响。虽然以牡蛎为研究对象，但生态学的研究和比较将大大提高我们对物理条件与双壳类物种之间相互作用的理解。该项目将通过提供新的见解和理解来提高渔业管理能力，从而造福社会。开发的数值工具将具有适当的分辨率，有助于指导牡蛎恢复计划，找到最佳保护区（即海洋保护区），并为牡蛎收获的空间管理提供信息。虽然所产生的定量工具和信息将直接支持切萨皮克湾州和联邦合作伙伴的牡蛎管理和恢复活动，但本项目开发的研究结果和工具将适用于许多其他系统，其中双壳类动物是商业和休闲渔业的重要组成部分。博士研究生将在这个耦合的现场和建模程序中进行现场和数值模拟研究方面的培训。除了在前沿领域获得坚实的基础外，学生还将有机会发展科学沟通技巧并与管理机构代表互动。

This coupled field-and-modeling research project is designed to address fundamental, cutting-edge questions that will significantly enhance our understanding of physical-biological interactions in planktonic organisms and quantify how pelagic life stages influence population dynamics. Technological advances in field methodology and numerical modeling will be integrated and applied to investigate and compare how circulation patterns, larval transport, sub-population connectivity, and population dynamics of the Eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, respond to environmental variability and habitat alteration. This project will provide information that will significantly enhance the restoration and management of oysters. Physical-biological interactions are an integral part of understanding fish, bivalve, and crustacean early-life history and the processes that affect inter-annual variability in their recruitment to reproducing populations. The combined modeling and field approach builds on existing state-of-the-art models, it applies a new technology that will significantly advance our ability to investigate in-situ bivalve larvae dynamics, and it will generate critical information about the early life of oysters (timing of spawning, larval behavior) that is necessary for enhancing our understanding and prediction of recruitment processes. This research will also advance our understanding of population dynamics of organisms with a pelagic life stages by making quantitative links between larval transport and a full life-cycle model. In doing so, it will provide improved understanding of the inter-relationships between, and relative importance of, larval transport, the connectivity of different reef systems, and adult growth, mortality, and gamete production, and how these relationships are influenced by changes in physical conditions and habitat. Although focused on the oyster, Crassostrea virginica, the ecological studies and comparisons will result in a significant enhancement in our understanding of the interactions between physical conditions and a suite of bivalve species. This program will benefit society by providing new insights and understanding that will enhance fisheries management capabilities. The numerical tools developed will have the resolution appropriate for helping to guide oyster restoration programs, locate optimal sanctuaries (i.e., marine protected areas), and inform spatial management of oyster harvest. Although the quantitative tools and information generated will directly support oyster management and restoration activities of state and federal partners in Chesapeake Bay, the findings and tools developed in this project will be applicable to many other systems where bivalves comprise an important component of commercial and recreational fisheries. A PhD graduate student will be trained in field and numerical modeling research in this coupled field-and-modeling program. In addition to gaining a solid foundation in a cutting-edge field, the student will have the opportunity to develop science communication skills and interact with management agency representatives.