Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, 2012-05-21
http://www.hzg.de/institute/coastal_research/structure/operational_systems/KOE/topics/topics/010339/index_0010339.html

Model for Adaptive Ecosystems in Coastal Seas (MAECS)

We develop and apply models to better and quantitatively understand the dynamics of coastal ecosystems - as a prerequisite for reliable forecasts. Coastal ecosystem dynamics is intimately connected to large fluxes of nutrients, sediments, or greenhouse gases between the land, the atmosphere and the open sea.

Classical models describe quantity changes in essential components of the ecosystem like phytoplankton. Our models, in addition, calculate how internal key variables (body size, stoichiometry) change over time. With much increased accuracy, the models reveal a strong but variable dependency of the plankton dynamics on physical forcings like turbulence, on dissolved organic materials, and on the presence and preference of consumers.

MAECS results in a web-viewer

First results of MAECS simulations in the German Bight are browsable in a WebGIS viewer with an internet browser. The simulation results are reduced to show the dissolved nutrients (N,P), particulate carbon, chlorophyll-a and dissolved organic carbon. The model is forced with hindcast model results for atmospheric conditions at the surface and the barotropic state at the open boundaries. In the sediments, an extended version of OMEXDIA is used to resolve the N and P cycle in the sediment pore water.

jump to Chlorophyll-a map in April 2003

MAECS and OMEXDIA model compartments MAECS and OMEXDIA model compartments

Model data comparison at Helgoland

The figures display plankton dynamics (biomasses and cell size) at Helgoland during winter and spring. Interannual variability measured by the Alfred-Wegener Institute can be accurately reproduced thanks (1) to the simulation of internal changes within the phytoplankton, and (2) to high resolution physical forcing.

Diatoms Seasonal Life Cycle Diatoms Seasonal Life Cycle

For 2003, the color areas
display the highly variable intensity of four major factors that affect net growth of phytoplankton.

Topic information

Funding sources

Model development and dissemination is funded by the program PACES of the Helmholtz Gemeinschaft (HGF).

Group members active in this topic

  • Markus Schartau
  • Richard Hofmeister
  • Kai Wirtz

Responsible scientist

Schartau

Markus Schartau

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