Collaborative Research: Interacting Effects of Local Demography and Larval Connectivity on Estuarine Metapopulation Dynamics

智力优势：PI将使用东牡蛎（Crassostrea virginica）在帕姆利科湾，北卡罗来纳州，作为一个模型系统，并将试图优化设计网络的不采取储备作为一种策略，以保持集合种群的商业收获的物种。 该项目特别认识到，网络持久性取决于（1）保护区内的增长、生存和繁殖潜力，以及（2）在保护区之间分配后代的潜力。因此，储备和定居区内的人口过程发挥重要作用，沿着物理运输的变化。 PI计划：（1）测试和完善三维生物物理模型的连接，由于牡蛎幼虫运输在一个浅，风为主的系统;（2）测试，完善，并应用技术来检测幼虫的纳塔尔起源使用地球化学标签在幼虫壳;和（3）整合区域连接和人口统计率模型集合种群动态。更广泛的影响：这项研究将产生新的工具，并测试和完善用于研究幼虫连接性的其他工具，这是维持自然种群的一个至关重要的过程，因此也是生物保护和资源管理的一个重要过程。 这些工具包括一个流体动力学建模工具，加上一个开放源码的粒子跟踪模型，该模型将与计算机代码和用户指南一起在线提供。该项目将使用综合建模方法来评估保护区网络的设计：结果将直接有助于改善帕姆利科湾的牡蛎和基于生态系统的管理，这些方法将为其他地区的网络设计提供信息。 有广泛的教育和推广的形式培训本科生和研究生，指导博士后，并为高中学生和他们的老师提供动手研究的机会。

Intellectual Merit: The PIs will use the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) in Pamlico Sound, North Carolina, as a model system and will attempt to optimize the design of networks of no-take reserves as a strategy for maintaining metapopulations of this commercially harvested species. The project specifically recognizes that network persistence depends on (1) the potential for growth, survival, and reproduction within reserves, and (2) the potential to distribute offspring among reserves. Thus, demographic processes within reserves and settling areas play important roles, along with variability of physical transport. The PIs plan to: (1) test and refine 3D bio-physical models of connectivity due to oyster larval transport in a shallow, wind-dominated system; (2) test, refine, and apply technology to detect natal origins of larvae using geochemical tags in larval shell; and (3) integrate regional connectivity and demographic rates to model metapopulation dynamics. Broader Impacts: This study will produce new tools and test and refine others used for studying larval connectivity, a fundamentally important process in the maintenance of natural populations, and thus in biological conservation and resource management. The tools include a hydrodynamic modeling tool coupled with an open-source particle tracking model that will be available on-line with computer code and user guide. The project will use integrated modeling approaches to evaluate the design of reserve networks: results will be directly useful to improving oyster and ecosystem-based management in Pamlico Sound, and the methods will inform approaches to network design in other locations. There is extensive education and outreach in the form of training undergraduate and graduate students, mentoring post-docs, and providing hands-on research opportunities for high school students and their teachers.