Title | Diel Vertical Migrators Respond to Short-Term Upwelling Events |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2024 |
Authors | Sato, M, Benoit-Bird, KJ |
Journal | Geophysical Research Letters |
Volume | 51 |
Pagination | e2023GL105387 |
Keywords | acoustics, biological-physical interactions, diel vertical migration, Upwelling |
Abstract | Pelagic organisms inhabiting coastal upwelling regions face a high risk of advection away from the nearshore productive habitat, potentially leading to mortality. We explored how animals remain in a productive yet highly advective environment in the Northern California Current System using the cabled observatory system located off the Oregon coast. Acoustic scatterers consistent with swimbladder-bearing fish were only present during the downwelling season as these animals avoided the cold waters associated with strong upwelling conditions in summer and fall. Fish responded to short-term upwelling events by increasing the frequency of diel vertical migration. Throughout the study, their vertical positions corresponded to the depth of minimum cross-shelf transport, providing a mechanism for retention. The observed behavioral response highlights the importance of studying ecological processes at short timescales and the abilities of pelagic organisms to control their horizontal distributions through fine-tuned diel vertical migration in response to upwelling. |
DOI | 10.1029/2023GL105387 |