Modeling Emergent Life Histories of Copepods
Authored by Geir Huse, Webjorn Melle, Morten D Skogen, Solfrid S Hjollo, Einar Svendsen, W Paul Budgell
Date Published: 2018
DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2018.00023
Sponsors:
Norwegian Research Council (NRF)
Platforms:
No platforms listed
Model Documentation:
ODD
Mathematical description
Model Code URLs:
Model code not found
Abstract
The distribution and population dynamics of zooplankton are affected by
the interplay between currents, behavior, and selective growth,
mortality, and reproduction. Here, we present an individual based model
for a copepod where life-history and behavioral traits are adapted using
a genetic algorithm approach. The objectives were to investigate the
importance of spatial and inter-annual variability in biophysical
forcing and different predator densities on the adaptation of emergent
life history traits in a copepod. The results show that in simulations
with adaptation, the populations remained viable (positive population
growth) within the study area over 100-year simulation whereas without
adaptation populations were unviable. In one dimensional simulations
with fixed spatial position there were small differences between
replicate simulations. Inter-annual variability in forcing resulted in
increased difference in fitness between years. Simulations with
spatial-, but without inter-annual variability in forcing produced large
differences in the geographic distribution, fitness, and life history
strategies between replicate simulations. In simulations with both
spatial and inter-annual variability the replicates had rather small
variability in traits. Increased predator density lead to increased day
depth and avoidance of the lit upper waters. The model can be used for a
range of different applications such as studying individual and
population responses to environmental changes including climate change
as well as to yield robust behavioral strategies for use in fully
coupled end to end ecosystem models.
Tags
Individual Based Models
ecology
Emergent properties
growth
Variability
Fish
Diapause
Marine copepod
North-atlantic
Norwegian sea
Calanus-finmarchicus
Basin
Seasonal dynamics
Calanus finmarchicus