Ecological considerations for species distribution modelling of euphausiids in the Northeast Pacific Ocean

Abstract

Euphausiids are a keystone species in marine food webs of the Northeast Pacific Ocean, important for forage fish, commercial fish species and marine predators such as seabirds and whales. Ecosystem-based fisheries management relies on realistic lower-trophic-level information for forecasting under future changing climate scenarios. We synthesised information from quantitative modelling studies analysing the relationship between euphausiids and their environment for two species of euphausiids that dominate assemblages in this region — Euphausia pacifica and Thysanoessa spinifera. Studies analysed suggest that variables reflecting the physical and biological environment in situ, features reflecting the geomorphic marine landscape, and large-scale climate indices all significantly affect euphausiid biomass and distribution. Temperature was the most tested predictor variable in the euphausiid models reviewed; however, it was significant in fewer models than other variables tested. We review and compare model structures, predictor variable selection and temporal lag phases to develop recommendations for species distribution modelling of euphausiids in the Northeast Pacific Ocean. We believe the results from this review will be applicable globally across regions with similar climates where euphausiids are numerous and can be adapted for different species and environments.