Biological-physical coupling in a highly advective ecosystem: Through a lens of diel vertical migration

Le résumé fourni par la source

A mismatch in sampling resolution between biology and physics has been one of the fundamental challenges in advancing our understanding of ecological processes in the ocean. The recent deployment of cabled observatories enables the collection of active acoustic data with coverage and resolution comparable to physical data, providing an unprecedented ability to observe the behavior of zooplankton that are critical trophic link in the food web. Using multifrequency acoustics, acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP), and meteorological sensors deployed by the Ocean Observatories Initiatives (OOI) in the Northern California Current System, we explored small-scale upwelling impacts on diel vertical migration exploiting the frequency and predictability of this ubiquitous behavior. We found that the vertical extent of diel vertical migration changed relative to upwelling intensity. Migration behavior was completely suppressed during strong downwelling periods. Zooplankton migrated throughout the water column during relaxation periods while decreasing their migration distance as the winds shifted to upwelling favorable conditions, potentially increasing their accessibility to food resources. These results suggest that animals adapt their behavior to accommodate changes in the physical environment.

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