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Optimal model formulation for marine ecosystems. - FC0105
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Description
R&D
Summary objectives:-
Describe and model seasonal variations in the nitrogen
cycling of a sea loch by constructing a simulation model
incorporating its major hydrological and biological
features, in support of the SOAFD experimental programme.
Key customer purpose:-
Provide essential input to SOAFD's strategic research on
management of coastal waters, in particular assessing the
environmental impact of marine fish farms, including the
formation of agal blooms, and setting locational guidelines. |
Objective
a) The primary aim of the SOAFD project with which this part
of the proposed work is associated, is to describe and
model seasonal variations in the Nitrogen balance of a
sea-loch. The primary objective of the early phase of this
work will therefore be the construction and verification of
a simulation model incorporating the major hydrological and
biological features of the system. Using this simulation
model as a starting point, studies of the trade-off between
realism and complexity will be made, with particular
emphasis on identifying the biological and spatial
resolution needed to provide reliable indicators of the
likely effects of major external perturbations. The end
point of the study will be a suite of simple and intuitive
models each capable of addressing a known range of
management questions.
b) Fish Benthos Interaction
The SOAFD program with which this sub-project is associated
has as its central aim the experimental identification of
the environmental and behavioural factors which expose
benthic organisms to fish predation. The early phases of
the complimentary theoretical program will involve
constructing rule-based models of individual behaviour which
explain the time-budgets and attack rates observed in the
SOAFD experiments. These behavioural models will be used to
construct individual-based population models and to infer
population average functional responses. The models thus
constructed will be used to investigate the degree of
biological detail needed to obtain a dynamically
satisfactory representation of the population effects of the
fish-benthos interaction. In view of Hassell and May's
demonstration of the dramatic changes in dynamics induced by
pseudo-interference resulting from predator aggregation onto
patches of high prey density, particular attention will be
paid to both the representation of such effects and their
implications for population stability.
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Time-Scale and Cost
From:
1991
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To:
1995
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Cost: £122,085 |
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Contractor / Funded Organisations
University - Strathclyde |
Keywords
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Fields of Study
Fish Health and Aquaculture |