A highly spatially resolved ecosystem model for the North West European Continental Shelf

Abstract

Abstract This paper outlines an approach to complex spatio-temporal marine ecosystem modelling as applied to the North Western European Continental Shelf. The model presented here goes further than previous work, as we combine a higher resolution hydrodynamic model, the POL-3DB baroclinic model with the European Regional Seas Ecosystem Model. This combination of models includes many of the processes (benthic-pelagic coupling, dynamic zooplankton and nitrogen, phosphorous and silicate cycling) previous authors have identitied as missing from their models and partially responsible for the inadequacies of their simulations. Spatial distributions of key physical and ecological variables taken from the three dimensional high resolution hydrodynamic/ecological simulations are presented to illustrate how spatial and temporal variations in physical processes determine the onset of the spring bloom in the North Sea. A basic validation of these simulations is presented, which indicates the model reproduces many of the features of the seasonal cycles of nutrients and phytoplankton, but fails to simulate mesozooplankton biomass in a convincing manner. The reasons for this are discussed along with potential new research directions.