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

知识价值：PIs将以北卡罗来纳州帕姆利科湾的东牡蛎（Crassostrea virginica）为模型系统，并将尝试优化禁捕保护区网络的设计，作为维持这种商业捕捞物种的超种群的策略。该项目特别认识到，网络的持久性取决于(1)在保护区内生长、生存和繁殖的潜力，以及(2)在保护区之间分配后代的潜力。因此，保护区和定居区内的人口过程以及物质运输的可变性起着重要作用。pi计划：(1)测试和完善牡蛎幼虫在风力主导的浅水系统中运输的连通性的3D生物物理模型；(2)利用幼虫壳中的地球化学标签检测幼虫出生来源的技术试验、改进和应用；(3)结合区域连通性和人口比率，建立元人口动态模型。更广泛的影响：这项研究将产生新的工具，并测试和改进用于研究幼虫连通性的其他工具，这是维持自然种群，从而在生物保护和资源管理中至关重要的过程。这些工具包括一个流体动力学建模工具，加上一个开源的粒子跟踪模型，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基于牡蛎和生态系统的管理，并且这些方法将为其他地点的网络设计方法提供参考。有广泛的教育和推广形式，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.