Abstract
Developments in animal electronic tagging and tracking have transformed
the field of movement ecology, but interest is also growing in the
contributions of tagged animals to oceanography. Animal-borne sensors
can address data gaps, improve ocean model skill and support model
validation, but previous studies in this area have focused almost
exclusively on satellite-telemetered seabirds and seals. Here, for the
first time, we develop the use of benthic species as animal
oceanographers by combining archival (depth and temperature) data from
animal-borne tags, passive acoustic telemetry and citizen-science
mark-recapture records from 2016–17 for the Critically Endangered
flapper skate (Dipturus intermedius) in Scotland. By comparing
temperature observations to predictions from the West Scotland Coastal
Ocean Modelling System, we quantify model skill and empirically validate
an independent model update. The results from bottom-temperature and
temperature-depth profile validation (5,324 observations) fill a key
data gap in Scotland. For predictions in 2016, we identified a
consistent warm bias (mean = 0.53 °C) but a subsequent model update
reduced bias by an estimated 109% and improved model skill. This study
uniquely demonstrates the use of benthic animal-borne sensors and
citizen-science data for ocean model validation, broadening the range of
animal oceanographers in aquatic environments.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 16613 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Scientific Reports |
Volume | 12 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 5 Oct 2022 |
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Benthic animal-borne sensors and citizen science combine to validate ocean modelling (code)
Lavender, E. (Creator) & James, M. A. (Creator), GitHub, 2022
https://github.com/edwardlavender/westcoms_validation
Dataset: Software