Satellite-derived dynamic seascapes: multiscale context for oceanographic observations of North Pacific ecosystems

Maria T Kavanaugh, Oregon State University, mkavanau@coas.oregonstate.edu
Angelicque E. White, Oregon State University, awhite@coas.oregonstate.edu (Presenter)
Ricardo M. Letelier, Oregon State University, letelier@coas.oregonstate.edu

Understanding and modeling marine biological responses to perturbation is hampered in the pelagic environment by lack of a formal ecological framework to link local mechanisms to large scale patterns in a spatially and temporally explicit manner. To facilitate comparative analysis between pelagic ecosystems and provide spatiotemporal context for eulerian time series, we have applied the patch mosaic paradigm of landscape ecology to the study of the seasonal and interannual variability of the North Pacific. Dynamic seascapes were classified with a probabilistic self-organizing mapping algorithm using monthly climatologies or means of satellite-derived sea surface temperature, photosynthetically active radiation, and chlorophyll a. The resulting seascapes conform to major hydrographical features, exhibit hierarchy from gyre to basin scales, and preserve mechanistic underlying biophysical distributions. Seascapes have quantifiably unique structure- they are statistically distinct after accounting for spatial autocorrelation and represent different in situ microbial communities as revealed by flow cytometry collected as part of two long term oceanic time series programs - accounting for over 50% of the variance in high-nutrient, low chlorophyll subarctic microbial assemblage and a significant portion of variability in the subtropical microbial assemblage. Specific to the subtropical gyre, increased surface primary production at Station ALOHA was strongly associated with encroachment of more “temperate” water on seasonal and interannual scales. However, episodic summer blooms were strongly associated with increased isolation. As part of the emerging field of seascape ecology, this effort can provide an improved means of monitoring and interpreting oceanographic biophysical dynamics; an objective, quantitative basis by which to spatially extrapolate data from local experiments and long-term time series; and a foundation for pelagic ecosystem-based management.

Presentation Type:  Poster

Session:  Other   (Mon 4:00 PM)

Associated Project(s): 

• Related Activity

Poster Location ID: 93