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Title: Spatially varying plankton synchrony patterns at seasonal and interannual scales in a well‐connected shelf sea
Abstract Spatial population synchrony, defined as spatial covariation in population density fluctuations, exists across different temporal and spatial scales. Determining the degree of spatial synchrony is useful for inferring environmental drivers of population variability in the wake of climate change. In this study, we applied novel statistical methods to detect spatial synchrony patterns ofCalanus finmarchicuson the Northeast U.S. Shelf at multiple spatiotemporal scales using unevenly distributed data. Our results reveal thatC. finmarchicussubpopulations connected by advection are not necessarily in synchrony, indicating that the degree of synchrony is likely influenced by heterogeneity of local habitats. In addition, regionally synchronous environmental conditions (e.g., sea surface temperature) may not play as significant a role in influencing subregional population dynamics as was previously hypothesized. Overlooking the spatial heterogeneity of synchronous patterns at different time scales could lead to erroneous inferences of potential environmental drivers responsible forC. finmarchicusvariability.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1655686
PAR ID:
10512327
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ;
Publisher / Repository:
Wiley
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Limnology and Oceanography Letters
Volume:
8
Issue:
6
ISSN:
2378-2242
Page Range / eLocation ID:
906 to 915
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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