hays-biologistsguide-2012.pdf (3.02 MB)
A biologist's guide to assessing ocean currents : a review
journal contribution
posted on 2012-01-01, 00:00 authored by S Fossette, N Putman, K Lohmann, R Marsh, Graeme HaysGraeme HaysWe review how ocean currents are measured (in both Eulerian and Lagrangian frameworks), how they are inferred from satellite observations, and how they are simulated in ocean general circulation models (OGCMs). We then consider the value of these ‘direct’ (in situ) and ‘indirect’ (inferred, simulated) approaches to biologists investigating current-induced drift of strong-swimming vertebrates as well as dispersion of small organisms in the open ocean. We subsequently describe 2 case studies. In the first, OGCM-simulated currents were compared with satellite-derived currents; analyses suggest that the 2 methods yield similar results, but that each has its own limitations and associated uncertainty. In the second analysis, numerical methods were tested using Lagrangian drifter buoys. Results indicated that currents simulated in OGCMs do not capture all details of buoy trajectories, but do successfully resolve most general aspects of current flows. We thus recommend that the errors and uncertainties in ocean current measurements, as well as limitations in spatial and temporal resolution of the surface current data, need to be considered in tracking studies that incorporate oceanographic data. Whenever possible, cross-validation of the different methods (e.g. indirect estimates versus buoy trajectories) should be undertaken before a decision is reached about which technique is best for a specific application.
History
Journal
Marine ecology progress seriesVolume
457Pagination
285 - 301Publisher
Inter-ResearchLocation
Oldendorf, GermanyISSN
0171-8630eISSN
1616-1599Language
engPublication classification
C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2012, Inter-ResearchUsage metrics
Categories
Keywords
geostrophicEkman driftdispersalorientationturtlemarine mammalplanktonargossatellite-trackingScience & TechnologyLife Sciences & BiomedicinePhysical SciencesEcologyMarine & Freshwater BiologyOceanographyEnvironmental Sciences & EcologyLOGGERHEAD SEA-TURTLESPOPULATION GENETIC-STRUCTUREPARTICLE TRACKING MODELLONG-DISTANCE MOVEMENTSOUTHERN ELEPHANT SEALCENTRAL NORTH PACIFICCARETTA-CARETTASURFACE CURRENTSGREEN TURTLESSATELLITE TELEMETRYZoologyOceanographyEcology
Licence
Exports
RefWorks
BibTeX
Ref. manager
Endnote
DataCite
NLM
DC