Development of interdisciplinary models of ecosystems under severe hydrodynamic constraints
Delhez, E.J.M.; Lacroix, G.; Martin, G.; Nihoul, J.C.J.; Varela, R.A. (1993). Development of interdisciplinary models of ecosystems under severe hydrodynamic constraints, in: Progress in Belgian Oceanographic Research, Brussels, January 21-22, 1993. pp. 37-53 In: (1993). Progress in Belgian Oceanographic Research, Brussels, January 21-22, 1993. Royal Academy of Belgium. National Committee of Oceanology: Brussel. 287 pp., more |
| Authors | | Top | | - Nihoul, J.C.J., more
- Varela, R.A.
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| Abstract | The need for reliable management models of the marine resources is large. In this paper, the problem of the mathematical modelling of ecosystems is approached mostly from the point of view of the physical oceanographer . Hydrodynamic phenomena in the range of 105s to 105 s (the weather of the sea) form the prescribed physical conditions in which ecosystems must develop. Sometimes, these phenomena result in important constraints (advection of new material, high flushing rate, vertical diffusion,...) which must be taken into account as accurately as possible in any modelling attempt of the ecosystem. A detailed three-dimensional, time-dependent description of the currents and turbulence fields is thus prerequisite in such a case. However, the complexity of mathematical models must be limited. Therefore, a trade-off must be found between the complexity of, respectively, the biological and the physical descriptions in agreement with the ultimate goals of the study. A case study demonstrating the feasibility of ecosystem models combining complex hydrodynamics and simple biology is described. Results of both the hydrodynamic and biological sub-models of the North-Western European Continental Shelf (NWECS) are included. |
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