Marine Ecosystem Modeling

EAS 8803 Spring 2010

Norway Bloom
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WEEK 1-3 (Week 1, Week 2, Week 3)
Theory: Mathematical Basis of Population models
Continuous population models (Murray, 1.1 to 1.6)
Discrete population models for a single species (Murray, chapter 2)
Continuous models for interacting populations (Murray, 3.1 to3.5)

Modeling Exercises: Predator-Prey Models
Introduction to Numerical Methods
The role of higher predation in plankton population models (Edwards and Yool., 2000)
Generic dynamics of a simple plankton population model (Edwards and Bees, 2001)
WEEK 4 (Week 4)
Theory: Lower Trophic Level Marine Ecosystem Models
Nitrogen Phytoplankton Zooplankton Detritus (NPZD) model (Franks et al., 2002)
Stability analysis of NPZD models (Franks et al., 2002)
Iron limitation with NPZD-Fe (Fiechter et al., 2009)
NPZD with Carbon Cycle (TBD)

Modeling Exercises: 1D vertical NPZD
The Deep Chlorophyll Maxima (Hodges et al., 2004)
WEEK 5-6 (Week 5, Week 6)
Theory: Tracer conservation and Ocean transport
Overview of large-scale ocean circulation: Wind-driven circulation, Sverdrup balance, Stommel gyre, thermohaline circulation, mixing, geostrophy, circulation of passive and active tracers, interannual variability (Chapter 2, Sarmiento and Gruber; and Chapter 2, Fasham's monography)
Modeling Exercises: Eulerian and Lagrangian Transport Equations
Tracer conservation equation for passive tracers (Combes et al., 2007)
Lagrangian transport equation (Schlag et al., 2008, LTRANS)
WEEK 7 (Feb 23 and 25)
Review and Midterm Exam

WEEK 8-9 (Week 8, Week 9)
Theory: Continental margin exchange
Recycling and export systems. Costal upwelling systems: the California current, the Humboldt current and the Benguela current. Monsoonal systems. The Arctic shelfs. Semi-enclosed marginal seas. (Chapter 3, Fasham's monography - review article by Williams and Follows)
Modeling Exercises: 3D Upwelling Ecosystem
Open Ocean Equatorial Upwelling System (TBD)
Eastern Boundary Upwelling Ecosystem (Gruber et al., 2006)
Western Boundary Margin Ecosystem (Fennel et al., 2006)
WEEK 10
Spring Break

Week 11-15
Theory and Modeling Exercises: Overview of Ocean Ecosystem Models
Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) NPZD (Gruber et al., 2006)
Darwinian Ecosystem Models (Follows et al., 2007)
Individual Based Models (IBMs) (North et al., 2008)
Bayesian Hierarchical Ecosystem Models (BHMs) (Wikle et al. 2007; TBD)
Ecopath with Ecosym, ecosystem modeling and management (www.ecopath.org)
Week 16
Final Exam

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