Shelf–oceanic dynamics of surface environmental parameters in the Kangaroo Island–Bonney Coast region
Dahlia Foo
A D , Clive McMahon B , Mark Hindell A and Simon Goldsworthy C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, 20 Castray Esplanade, Battery Point, Tas. 7004, Australia.
B Sydney Institute of Marine Science, 19 Chowder Bay Road, Mosman 2088 NSW, Australia.
C South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), 2 Hamra Avenue, West Beach, SA 5024, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: dahlia.foo@utas.edu.au
Marine and Freshwater Research 72(5) 679-692 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF20100
Submitted: 4 April 2020 Accepted: 15 October 2020 Published: 26 November 2020
Abstract
The shelf and oceanic waters of the Kangaroo Island–Bonney Coast region are important foraging habitats for top marine predators in the ecosystem; however, the dynamics between the two distinct water types have not been investigated. This study examined the spatial and temporal variability of oceanographic parameters in the southern waters of Australia (36–43°S, 136–141°E) associated with the Bonney Upwelling (shelf) and subtropical front (STF; oceanic). Using satellite data from 1997 to 2016, we found that productive oceanic waters were associated with the STF and eddy activity; they were generally furthest from the shelf break in spring–summer (upwelling season on the shelf) and closest to the shelf break in winter–autumn (downwelling season on the shelf). Inter-annual variabilities of chlorophyll-a concentration (Chl-a), sea-surface temperature and sea surface-height anomaly were generally higher in summer than in winter for both shelf and oceanic waters. El Niño–Southern Oscillation, Southern Annular Mode and Indian Ocean Dipole were cross-correlated with anomalous shelf and oceanic Chl-a at various lagged times (range = 15–0 months). This study provides a regional perspective of the spatial and temporal oceanographic variability in southern Australian waters, which may help with understanding apex-predator ecology in the ecosystem.
Keywords: ecology, marine mammals, oceanography, pelagic zone.
References
Allanson, B. R., Boden, B., Parker, L., and Rae, C. D. (1985). A contribution to the oceanology of the Prince Edward Islands. In ‘Antarctic Nutrient Cycles and Food Webs’. (Eds W. R. Siegfried, P. R. Condy, and R. M. Laws.) pp. 38–45. (Springer: Berlin, Germany.)Angel, L. P., Barker, S., Berlincourt, M., Tew, E., Warwick-Evans, V., and Arnould, J. P. Y. (2015). Eating locally: Australasian gannets increase their foraging effort in a restricted range. Biology Open 4, 1298–1305.
| Eating locally: Australasian gannets increase their foraging effort in a restricted range.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 26369928PubMed |
Arthur, B., Hindell, M., Bester, M., Trathan, P., Jonsen, I., Staniland, I., Oosthuizen, W. C., Wege, M., and Lea, M. A. (2015). Return customers: foraging site fidelity and the effect of environmental variability in wide-ranging Antarctic fur seals. PLoS One 10, e0120888.
| Return customers: foraging site fidelity and the effect of environmental variability in wide-ranging Antarctic fur seals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 25807082PubMed |
Ashok, K., Nakamura, H., and Yamagata, T. (2007). Impacts of ENSO and Indian Ocean Dipole events on the southern hemisphere storm-track activity during austral winter. Journal of Climate 20, 3147–3163.
| Impacts of ENSO and Indian Ocean Dipole events on the southern hemisphere storm-track activity during austral winter.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bakun, A. (2006). Fronts and eddies as key structures in the habitat of marine fish larvae: opportunity, adaptive response and competitive advantage. Scientia Marina 70, 105–122.
| Fronts and eddies as key structures in the habitat of marine fish larvae: opportunity, adaptive response and competitive advantage.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Baylis, A. M. M., Page, B., and Goldsworthy, S. D. (2008a). Colony-specific foraging areas of lactating New Zealand fur seals. Marine Ecology Progress Series 361, 279–290.
| Colony-specific foraging areas of lactating New Zealand fur seals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Baylis, A. M. M., Page, B., and Goldsworthy, S. D. (2008b). Effect of seasonal changes in upwelling activity on the foraging locations of a wide-ranging central-place forager, the New Zealand fur seal. Canadian Journal of Zoology 86, 774–789.
| Effect of seasonal changes in upwelling activity on the foraging locations of a wide-ranging central-place forager, the New Zealand fur seal.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Behrenfeld, M. J., Randerson, J. T., McClain, C. R., Feldman, G. C., Los, S. O., Tucker, C. J., Falkowski, P. G., Field, C. B., Frouin, R., Esaias, W. E., Kolber, D. D., and Pollack, N. H. (2001). Biospheric primary production during an ENSO transition. Science 291, 2594–2597.
| Biospheric primary production during an ENSO transition.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 11283369PubMed |
Bender, M. L., Tilbrook, B., Cassar, N., Jonsson, B., Poisson, A., and Trull, T. W. (2016). Ocean productivity south of Australia during spring and summer. Deep-sea Research – I. Oceanographic Research Papers 112, 68–78.
| Ocean productivity south of Australia during spring and summer.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Berlincourt, M., and Arnould, J. P. Y. (2015). Breeding short-tailed shearwaters buffer local environmental variability in south-eastern Australia by foraging in Antarctic waters. Movement Ecology 3, 16.
| Breeding short-tailed shearwaters buffer local environmental variability in south-eastern Australia by foraging in Antarctic waters.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 26236479PubMed |
Blanchet, M. A., Lydersen, C., Ims, R. A., and Kovacs, K. M. (2015). Seasonal, oceanographic and atmospheric drivers of diving behaviour in a temperate seal species living in the high arctic. PLoS One 10, e0132686.
| Seasonal, oceanographic and atmospheric drivers of diving behaviour in a temperate seal species living in the high arctic.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 26196289PubMed |
Bost, C. A., Cotte, C., Bailleul, F., Cherel, Y., Charrassin, J. B., Guinet, C., Ainley, D. G., and Weimerskirch, H. (2009). The importance of oceanographic fronts to marine birds and mammals of the southern oceans. Journal of Marine Systems 78, 363–376.
| The importance of oceanographic fronts to marine birds and mammals of the southern oceans.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bradshaw, C. J. A., Hindell, M. A., Sumner, M. D., and Michael, K. J. (2004). Loyalty pays: potential life history consequences of fidelity to marine foraging regions by southern elephant seals. Animal Behaviour 68, 1349–1360.
| Loyalty pays: potential life history consequences of fidelity to marine foraging regions by southern elephant seals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Butler, A., Althaus, F., Furlani, D., and Ridgway, K. (2002). Assessment of the conservation values of the Bonney Upwelling area: a component of the Commonwealth Marine Conservation Assessment Program 2002–2004. Report to Environment Australia. CSIRO, Hobart, Tas., Australia. Available at https://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/b3606df9-3fc5-48a6-a836-685337001578/files/conservation-assessment-bonney.pdf [Verified 14 November 2020].
Chelton, D. B., Gaube, P., Schlax, M. G., Early, J. J., and Samelson, R. M. (2011). The influence of nonlinear mesoscale eddies on near-surface oceanic chlorophyll. Science 334, 328–332.
| The influence of nonlinear mesoscale eddies on near-surface oceanic chlorophyll.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21921157PubMed |
Clarke, J., Emmerson, L. M., and Otahal, P. (2006). Environmental conditions and life history constraints determine foraging range in breeding Adélie penguins. Marine Ecology Progress Series 310, 247–261.
| Environmental conditions and life history constraints determine foraging range in breeding Adélie penguins.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
De Oliveira, H. B. (2018). Upwelling dynamics in southern Australia: numerical modelling and observations. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tas., Australia.
Demarcq, H., Barlow, R. G., and Shillington, F. A. (2003). Climatology and variability of sea surface temperature and surface chlorophyll in the Benguela and Agulhas ecosystems as observed by satellite imagery. African Journal of Marine Science 25, 363–372.
| Climatology and variability of sea surface temperature and surface chlorophyll in the Benguela and Agulhas ecosystems as observed by satellite imagery.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Evans, K., Rogers, P., and Goldsworthy, S. (2017). Theme 4: ecology of iconic species and apex predators. Theme report. Great Australian Bight Research Program, GABRP Research Report Series Number 37. (Marine Innovations South Australia: Adelaide, SA, Australia.) Available at http://www.misa.net.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/301926/Secured_GABRP_Research_Report_Series_No_37_Theme_4_Synthesis_Report_for_dist.pdf [Verified 15 October 2020].
Forkel, M., Carvalhais, N., Verbesselt, J., Mahecha, M., Neigh, C., and Reichstein, M. (2013). Trend change detection in NDVI time series: effects of inter-annual variability and methodology. Remote Sensing 5, 2113–2144.
| Trend change detection in NDVI time series: effects of inter-annual variability and methodology.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gaube, P., Chelton, D. B., Samelson, R. M., Schlax, M. G., and O’Neill, L. W. (2015). Satellite observations of mesoscale eddy-induced Ekman pumping. Journal of Physical Oceanography 45, 104–132.
| Satellite observations of mesoscale eddy-induced Ekman pumping.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Goldsworthy, S. D., Page, B., Rogers, P. J., Bulman, C., Wiebkin, A., McLeay, L. J., Einoder, L., Baylis, A. M. M., Braley, M., Caines, R., Daly, K., Huveneers, C., Peters, K., Lowther, A. D., and Ward, T. M. (2013). Trophodynamics of the eastern Great Australian Bight ecosystem: ecological change associated with the growth of Australia’s largest fishery. Ecological Modelling 255, 38–57.
| Trophodynamics of the eastern Great Australian Bight ecosystem: ecological change associated with the growth of Australia’s largest fishery.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Goldsworthy, S., Bailleul, F., and Patterson, T. (2017). Project 4.2 Identifying areas of ecological significance for iconic species and apex predators in the GAB. Marine Innovations South Australia. Available at https://www.misa.net.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/309878/4.2_GABRP_Science_Symposium_2017.pdf [Verified 27 August 2020].
Hamilton, V., Evans, K., Raymond, B., Betty, E., and Hindell, M. A. (2019). Spatial variability in responses to environmental conditions in southern hemisphere long-finned pilot whales. Marine Ecology Progress Series 629, 207–218.
| Spatial variability in responses to environmental conditions in southern hemisphere long-finned pilot whales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Huang, Z., and Wang, X. H. (2019). Mapping the spatial and temporal variability of the upwelling systems of the Australian south-eastern coast using 14-year of MODIS data. Remote Sensing of Environment 227, 90–109.
| Mapping the spatial and temporal variability of the upwelling systems of the Australian south-eastern coast using 14-year of MODIS data.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
James, C., Tomczak, M., Helmond, I., and Pender, L. (2002). Summer and winter surveys of the subtropical front of the southeastern Indian Ocean 1997–1998. Journal of Marine Systems 37, 129–149.
| Summer and winter surveys of the subtropical front of the southeastern Indian Ocean 1997–1998.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kopczynska, E. E., Dehairs, F., Elskens, M., and Wright, S. (2001). Phytoplankton and microzooplankton variability between the subtropical and polar fronts south of Australia: thriving under regenerative and new production in late summer. Journal of Geophysical Research. Oceans 106, 31597–31609.
| Phytoplankton and microzooplankton variability between the subtropical and polar fronts south of Australia: thriving under regenerative and new production in late summer.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Legaard, K. R., and Thomas, A. C. (2007). Spatial patterns of intraseasonal variability of chlorophyll and sea surface temperature in the California Current. Journal of Geophysical Research. Oceans 112, 1–21.
| Spatial patterns of intraseasonal variability of chlorophyll and sea surface temperature in the California Current.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lowther, A. D., and Goldsworthy, S. D. (2011). Detecting alternate foraging ecotypes in Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) colonies using stable isotope analysis. Marine Mammal Science 27, 567–586.
| Detecting alternate foraging ecotypes in Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) colonies using stable isotope analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lowther, A. D., Harcourt, R. G., Page, B., and Goldsworthy, S. D. (2013). Steady as he goes: at-sea movement of adult male Australian sea lions in a dynamic marine environment. PLoS One 8, e74348.
| Steady as he goes: at-sea movement of adult male Australian sea lions in a dynamic marine environment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24086338PubMed |
McClatchie, S., Middleton, J. F., and Ward, T. M. (2006). Water mass analysis and alongshore variation in upwelling intensity in the eastern Great Australian Bight. Journal of Geophysical Research. Oceans 111, 1–13.
| Water mass analysis and alongshore variation in upwelling intensity in the eastern Great Australian Bight.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Middleton, J. F., and Bye, J. A. T. (2007). A review of the shelf-slope circulation along Australia’s southern shelves: Cape Leeuwin to Portland. Progress in Oceanography 75, 1–41.
| A review of the shelf-slope circulation along Australia’s southern shelves: Cape Leeuwin to Portland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Middleton, J. F., Arthur, C., Van Ruth, P., Ward, T. M., McClean, J. L., Maltrud, M. E., Gill, P., Levings, A., and Middleton, S. (2007). El Niño effects and upwelling off South Australia. Journal of Physical Oceanography 37, 2458–2477.
| El Niño effects and upwelling off South Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mizobata, K., Saitoh, S. I., Shiomoto, A., Miyamura, T., Shiga, N., Imai, K., Toratani, M., Kajiwara, Y., and Sasaoka, K. (2002). Bering Sea cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies observed during summer 2000 and 2001. Progress in Oceanography 55, 65–75.
| Bering Sea cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies observed during summer 2000 and 2001.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nel, D. C., Lutjeharms, J. R. E., Pakhomov, E. A., Ansorge, I. J., Ryan, P. G., and Klages, N. T. W. (2001). Exploitation of mesoscale oceanographic features by grey-headed albatross Thalassarche chrysostoma in the southern Indian Ocean. Marine Ecology Progress Series 217, 15–26.
| Exploitation of mesoscale oceanographic features by grey-headed albatross Thalassarche chrysostoma in the southern Indian Ocean.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nieblas, A. E., Sloyan, B. M., Hobday, A. J., Coleman, R., and Richardson, A. J. (2009). Variability of biological production in low wind-forced regional upwelling systems: a case study off southeastern Australia. Limnology and Oceanography 54, 1548–1558.
| Variability of biological production in low wind-forced regional upwelling systems: a case study off southeastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Oosthuizen, W. C., De Bruyn, P. J. N. N., Wege, M., and Bester, M. N. (2016). Geographic variation in subantarctic fur seal pup growth: linkages with environmental variability and population density. Journal of Mammalogy 97, 347–360.
| Geographic variation in subantarctic fur seal pup growth: linkages with environmental variability and population density.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Page, B., McKenzie, J., Sumner, M. D., Coyne, M., and Goldsworthy, S. D. (2006). Spatial separation of foraging habitats among New Zealand fur seals. Marine Ecology Progress Series 323, 263–279.
| Spatial separation of foraging habitats among New Zealand fur seals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Richardson, L. E., Middleton, J. F., James, N. P., Kyser, T. K., and Opdyke, B. N. (2020). Upwelling characteristics and nutrient enrichment of the Kangaroo Island upwelling region, South Australia. Continental Shelf Research 200, 104111.
| Upwelling characteristics and nutrient enrichment of the Kangaroo Island upwelling region, South Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rogers, P. J., Ward, T., van Ruth, P., Williams, A., Bruce, B., Connell, S., Currie, D., Davies, C., Evans, K., Gillanders, B., Goldsworthy, S., Griffin, D., Hardman-Mountford, N., Ivey, A., Kloser, R., Middleton, J., Richardson, A., Ross, A., Tanner, J., and Young, J. (2013). ‘Physical Processes, Biodiversity and Ecology of the Great Australian Bight Region: a Literature Review.’ (CSIRO: Hobart, Tas., Australia.)
Rogers, P. J., Huveneers, C., Page, B., Goldsworthy, S. D., Coyne, M., Lowther, A. D., Mitchell, J. G., and Seuront, L. (2015). Living on the continental shelf edge: habitat use of juvenile shortfin makos Isurus oxyrinchus in the Great Australian Bight, southern Australia. Fisheries Oceanography 24, 205–218.
| Living on the continental shelf edge: habitat use of juvenile shortfin makos Isurus oxyrinchus in the Great Australian Bight, southern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Shaughnessy, P. D., and Goldsworthy, S. D. (2015). Increasing abundance of pups of the long-nosed fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) on Kangaroo Island, South Australia, over 26 breeding seasons to 2013–14. Wildlife Research 42, 619–632.
| Increasing abundance of pups of the long-nosed fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) on Kangaroo Island, South Australia, over 26 breeding seasons to 2013–14.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Thompson, P. A., Bonham, P., Thomson, P., Rochester, W., Doblin, M. A., Waite, A. M., Richardson, A., and Rousseaux, C. S. (2015). Climate variability drives plankton community composition changes: the 2010–2011 El Niño to La Niña transition around Australia. Journal of Plankton Research 37, 966–984.
| Climate variability drives plankton community composition changes: the 2010–2011 El Niño to La Niña transition around Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Thums, M., Bradshaw, C. J. A., Sumner, M. D., Horsburgh, J. M., and Hindell, M. A. (2013). Depletion of deep marine food patches forces divers to give up early. Journal of Animal Ecology 82, 72–83.
| Depletion of deep marine food patches forces divers to give up early.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22881702PubMed |
Tomczak, M., Pender, L., and Liefrink, S. (2004). Variability of the subtropical front in the Indian Ocean south of Australia. Ocean Dynamics 54, 506–519.
| Variability of the subtropical front in the Indian Ocean south of Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Uz, B. M., and Yoder, J. A. (2004). High frequency and mesoscale variability in SeaWiFS chlorophyll imagery and its relation to other remotely sensed oceanographic variables. Deep-sea Research – II. Topical Studies in Oceanography 51, 1001–1017.
| High frequency and mesoscale variability in SeaWiFS chlorophyll imagery and its relation to other remotely sensed oceanographic variables.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
van Ruth, P. D., Ganf, G. G., and Ward, T. M. (2010). The influence of mixing on primary productivity: a unique application of classical critical depth theory. Progress in Oceanography 85, 224–235.
| The influence of mixing on primary productivity: a unique application of classical critical depth theory.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
van Ruth, P. D., Patten, N. L., Doubell, M. J., Chapman, P., Rodriguez, A. R., and Middleton, J. F. (2018). Seasonal- and event-scale variations in upwelling, enrichment and primary productivity in the eastern Great Australian Bight. Deep-sea Research – II. Topical Studies in Oceanography 157–158, 36–45.
| Seasonal- and event-scale variations in upwelling, enrichment and primary productivity in the eastern Great Australian Bight.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Verbesselt, J., Hyndman, R., Newnham, G., and Culvenor, D. (2010a). Detecting trend and seasonal changes in satellite image time series. Remote Sensing of Environment 114, 106–115.
| Detecting trend and seasonal changes in satellite image time series.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Verbesselt, J., Hyndman, R., Zeileis, A., and Culvenor, D. (2010b). Phenological change detection while accounting for abrupt and gradual trends in satellite image time series. Remote Sensing of Environment 114, 2970–2980.
| Phenological change detection while accounting for abrupt and gradual trends in satellite image time series.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Waite, A. M., Thompson, P. A., Pesant, S., Feng, M., Beckley, L. E., Domingues, C. M., Gaughan, D., Hanson, C. E., Holl, C. M., Koslow, T., Meuleners, M., Montoya, J. P., Moore, T., Muhling, B. A., Paterson, H., Rennie, S., Strzelecki, J., and Twomey, L. (2007). The Leeuwin Current and its eddies: an introductory overview. Deep-sea Research – II. Topical Studies in Oceanography 54, 789–796.
| The Leeuwin Current and its eddies: an introductory overview.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Weeks, S. J., and Shillington, F. A. (1994). Interannual scales of variation of pigment concentrations from coastal zone color scanner data in the Benguela Upwelling system and the subtropical convergence zone south of Africa. Journal of Geophysical Research 99, 7385–7399.
| Interannual scales of variation of pigment concentrations from coastal zone color scanner data in the Benguela Upwelling system and the subtropical convergence zone south of Africa.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
