The stochastic nature of larval connectivity among nearshore marine populations

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0802544105
• Publication Date: 2008-06-25T02:38:38Z
• Authors: D. A. Siegel; S. Mitarai; C. J. Costello; S. D. Gaines; B. E. Kendall; R. R. Warner; K. B. Winters
• Keywords: Obligate

Many nearshore fish and invertebrate populations are overexploited even when apparently coherent management structures in place. One potential cause of mismanagement may be a poor understanding accounting stochasticity, particularly for stock recruitment. the fishes invertebrates that comprise fisheries relatively sedentary as adults but have an obligate larval pelagic stage is dispersed by ocean currents. Here, we demonstrate connectivity inherently intermittent heterogeneous process on annual time scales. This stochasticity arises from advection larvae chaotic coastal circulations. result departs typical assumptions where simply diffuse one site to another or complex patterns created transport within spatially complicated environments. We derive statistical model expected variability settlement how varies function different biological physical processes. The stochastic nature creates unavoidable uncertainty assessment recruitment resulting forecasts sustainable yields.