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.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	ecosystem modelling, ERSEM, shelf sea modelling, North West European Continental Shelf, coupled hydrodynamic-ecosystem models
Research Division:	Earth Sciences
Research Group:	Oceanography
Research Field:	Oceanography not elsewhere classified
Objective Division:	Expanding Knowledge
Objective Group:	Expanding knowledge
Objective Field:	Expanding knowledge in the earth sciences
UTAS Author:	Proctor, R (Dr Roger Proctor)
ID Code:	120903
Year Published:	2001
Web of Science® Times Cited:	95
Deposited By:	Integrated Marine Observing System
Deposited On:	2017-09-01
Last Modified:	2017-11-14
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