Modelling the biogeochemical cycles of elements limiting primary production in the English channel .2. Sensitivity analyses

Type Article
Date 1997-01
Language English
Author(s) Hoch T1, Menesguen Alain1
Affiliation(s) 1 : IFREMER, CTR BREST, LAB CHIM & MODELISAT CYCLES NAT, DIRECT ENVIRONM & AMENAGEMENT LITTORAL, BP 70, F-29280 PLOUZANE, FRANCE.
Source Marine Ecology Progress Series (0171-8630) (Inter-research), 1997-01 , Vol. 146 , N. 1-3 , P. 189-205
DOI 10.3354/meps146189
WOS© Times Cited 19
Keyword(s) English Channel, sensitivity analyses, ecological model
Abstract A general framework for an ecological model of the English Channel was described in the first of this pair of papers. In this study, it was used to investigate the sensitivity of the model to various factors: model structure, parameter values, boundary conditions and forcing variables. These sensitivity analyses show how important quota formulation for phytoplankton growth is, particularly for growth of dinoflagellates. They also stress the major influence of variables and parameters related to nitrogen. The role played by rivers and particularly the river Seine was investigated. Their influence on global English Channel phytoplanktonic production seems to be relatively low, even though nutrient inputs determine the intensity of blooms in the Bay of Seine. The geographical position of the river Seine's estuary makes it important in fluxes through the Straits of Dover. Finally, the multi-annual study highlights the general stability of the English Channel ecosystem. These global considerations are discussed and further improvements to the model are proposed.
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