Our next steps in this modelling study are to incorporate the larval fish model into the coupled physical-biological model of Georges Bank. This will let us assess the role of physical forcing of plankton patchiness in controlling larval growth and retention on the bank. We will also explore how organisms swimming in the strong cross-frontal flows on the bank may become accumulated and form intense patches on the bank. Results of coupled physical-biological model of plankton on Georges Bank, after 25 tidal cycles. Each field is the average over 1 tidal cycle.
North is to the left, horizontal scale is in km.
High values indicate that phytoplankton were growing on nutrients brought up from deep waters by the tidal flows. Note the patch of phytoplankton formed in the front on the northern flank of the bank, and the upwelling of nutrients at the edges of the bank. The production based on transported nutrients is high at the surface on the bank, and in the tidal fronts. This indicates that physical forcing plays an important role in maintaining the high productivity of Georges Bank. Comparison of the physical-biological model to data.