Description
Simulating marine invaded systems requires broad consideration of physical oceanographic processes, such as ocean circulation patterns and temperature, and biological traits of the invader, such as their reproductive strategy and tolerances to their environment. Through this understanding of baseline biological and oceanographic function, models can be developed in order to forecast the incursion patterns of marine invasive species - helpful both to predict their spread as well as forewarn of impacts. To facilitate this understanding, computer simulation is useful in order to quickly and efficiently assimilate large biological and oceanographic datasets into digestible products. Data derived from such simulations are useful to ocean managers when planning invasive species monitoring and control strategies. In this talk, I will describe the mechanics and uses of an agent-based computer model that was developed to forecast the spread and impacts of invasive lionfish. The model has subsequently been used to describe invasions globally. A Lagrangian implementation of the model will also be discussed that reveals new insight into the hydrographic connectivity of the southwestern Gulf of Mexico.
Date of Event
October 7, 2015 12:00-1:00 PM
Location
Mailman-Hollywood Auditorium
Included in
Learning from Lionfish: Modeling Marine Invaded Systems
Mailman-Hollywood Auditorium
Simulating marine invaded systems requires broad consideration of physical oceanographic processes, such as ocean circulation patterns and temperature, and biological traits of the invader, such as their reproductive strategy and tolerances to their environment. Through this understanding of baseline biological and oceanographic function, models can be developed in order to forecast the incursion patterns of marine invasive species - helpful both to predict their spread as well as forewarn of impacts. To facilitate this understanding, computer simulation is useful in order to quickly and efficiently assimilate large biological and oceanographic datasets into digestible products. Data derived from such simulations are useful to ocean managers when planning invasive species monitoring and control strategies. In this talk, I will describe the mechanics and uses of an agent-based computer model that was developed to forecast the spread and impacts of invasive lionfish. The model has subsequently been used to describe invasions globally. A Lagrangian implementation of the model will also be discussed that reveals new insight into the hydrographic connectivity of the southwestern Gulf of Mexico.
Presenter Bio
Matthew Johnston is a research scientist at the Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography. He received his M.S. and Ph.D in Marine Biology/Oceanography from NSU. His research focuses on agent-based computer models that couple biological traits of marine invasive species with physical ocean characteristics in their introduced environment in order to produce invasion forecasts. Johnston has modelled marine invasive species such as the lionfish, panther grouper, regal damsel, bluestripe snapper, and black sun coral in the Mediterranean Sea, Hawaii, the Gulf of Mexico, tropical Pacific, and throughout the Caribbean. Continued work focuses on understanding the biophysical interactions that that drive marine and terrestrial invasions globally.