A simplified age-stage model for copepod population dynamics

Abstract

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 360:179-187 (2008) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps07314 A simplified age-stage model for copepod population dynamics Qiao Hu*, Cabell S. Davis, Colleen M. Petrik Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, USA *Email: qiao_hu@alum.mit.edu ABSTRACT: Complex 3D biological-physical models are becoming widely used in marine and freshwater ecology. These models are highly valued synthesizing tools because they provide insights into complex dynamics that are difficult to understand using purely empirical methods or theoretical analytical models. Of particular interest has been the incorporation of concentration-based copepod population dynamics into 3D physical transport models. These physical models typically have large numbers of grid points and therefore require a simplified biological model. However, concentration-based copepod models have used a fine resolution age-stage structure to prevent artificially short generation times, known as numerical ‘diffusion.’ This increased resolution has precluded use of age-stage structured copepod models in 3D physical models due to computational constraints. In this paper, we describe a new method, which tracks the mean age of each life stage instead of using age classes within each stage. We then compare this model to previous age-stage structured models. A probability model is developed with the molting rate derived from the mean age of the population and the probability density function (PDF) of molting. The effects of temperature and mortality on copepod population dynamics are also discussed. The mean-age method effectively removes the numerical diffusion problem and reproduces observed median development times (MDTs) without the need for a high-resolution age-stage structure. Thus, it is well-suited for finding solutions of concentration-based zooplankton models in complex biological-physical models. KEY WORDS: Plankton · Copepods · Modeling · Marine ecology · Oceanography · Limnology · Methodology · Mean age Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: Hu Q, Davis CS, Petrik CM (2008) A simplified age-stage model for copepod population dynamics. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 360:179-187. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps07314 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 360. Online publication date: May 22, 2008 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2008 Inter-Research.