Comparison of physical connectivity particle tracking models in the Flemish Cap region

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REFERENCE

Wang, Shuangqiang; Wang, Zeilang; Lirette, Camille; Davies, Andrew J; Kengchington, Ellen (2019). Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3663643.


ABSTRACT

Lagrangian particle tracking models are considered an important tool for assessing connectivity in the deep sea. A number of user interfaces are available to assess oceanic structural connectivity. These use currents produced by state-of-the-art ocean models, and can be used to run forward/hindcast simulations, habitat connectivity calculations, comparison of physical circulation models, etc. We compared simulation outputs from two particle tracking packages, WebDrogue v.0.7 and the Parcels framework version 2.1, the former having been previously published in a study investigating connectivity patterns among closed areas in the NAFO Regulatory Area. We further tested a combination of parameters used by Parcels (number of particles, particle spacing, time step, random walk) to determine optimal values for future applications. Parcels identified more connectivity than WebDrogue with differences attributed to higher current velocities in the underlying ocean model, although drift pathways were generally similar in both.

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