Starting at the bottom of the food-chain?

The future of managing our oceans: Starting at the bottom of the food‐chain?
JF Tweddle1,2,*, R O’Hara Murray2, M Gubbins2 and BE Scott1
1
Institute of Biological & Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen
2
Marine Scotland Science
* [email protected]
The future of managing our oceans: Starting at the bottom of the food‐chain?
Contents:
• Why is the bottom of the food chain important?
• Spatial variability • Case study: greater Firth of Forth region
– Current status
– Influence of wind turbines
• Conclusions
Phytoplankton.
So, why important again?
• Phytoplankton food source for higher trophic levels
• Role in global carbon cycle‐ sequestering CO2
from atmosphere.
• Indicators of climate change
• Indicators of eutrophication
• Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)
BUT: spatial and temporal variability in concentrations
Temperate shelf sea in summer
Simpson & Sharples (2012)
Introduction to physical and biological oceanography of shelf seas.
Cambridge University Press.
Temperate shelf sea in summer
Simpson & Sharples (2012)
Case study: greater Firth of Forth
Case study: satellite data
25th June, 2003. OC5 Chl a concentrations.
Image courtesy of NEODAAS
15th July, 2003. OC5 Chl a concentrations.
25th June, 2003. AVHRR SST.
Image courtesy of NEODAAS
Image courtesy of NEODAAS
Case study: greater Firth of Forth
Case study: in situ data
Case study: modelled data
Conclusions
Phytoplankton provide essential services
e.g. climate regulation and food provision.
Areas of relatively greater importance are predictable. Human developments can significantly impact on levels of primary production.
Hopefully this work will feed into array siting decisions.
The future of managing our oceans? Start at the bottom of the food‐chain!

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