Ocean sprawl facilitates dispersal and connectivity of protected species.

ABSTRACT: Highly connected networks generally improve resilience in complex systems. We present a novel application of this paradigm and investigated the potential for anthropogenic structures in the ocean to enhance connectivity of a protected species threatened by human pressures and climate change. Biophysical dispersal models of a protected coral species simulated potential connectivity between oil and gas installations across the North Sea but also metapopulation outcomes for naturally occurring corals downstream. Network analyses illustrated how just a single generation of virtual larvae released from these installations could create a highly connected anthropogenic system, with larvae becoming competent to settle over a range of natural deep-sea, shelf and fjord coral ecosystems including a m

SUBMITTER: Henry LA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6095900 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature