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Coastal retention and longshore displacement of meroplankton near capes in eastern boundary currents: Examples from the California current
Abstract
temperature change, is critical to interannual settlement variability. The average magnitude of upwelling, measured by an upwelling index, is by comparison a poor predictor of interannual settlement variability. Distribution of planktonic larvae relative to a nearshore retention feature is dependent on taxon. These nearshore retention features may act as reservoirs for some taxa or as conduits to the coast for others, likely depending on larval behaviour, timing and cross-shelf location of release relative to upwelling features. The longshore variability in recruitment created by the above patterns can result in differences in subpopulation productivity. For example, strength of a cohort of sea urchins varies longshore in accordance with proximity to retention features.