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Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2330
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2330
30 Nov 2023
 | 30 Nov 2023

Kelp Forest model development in the Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere-Wave-Sediment-Transport model (COAWST V3.4)

Matheus Fagundes, Fiorenza Micheli, Stephen G. Monismith, Arnoldo Valle-Levinson, and C. Brock Woodson

Abstract. Kelp forests are essential ecosystems in coastal regions around the world. They have large effects on flow structure, biogeochemical processes, and ecological dynamics. However, studies have yet to simulate these ecosystems in either regional ocean or global climate models. Here we describe and validate a model that simulates kelp forests in the water column for the ocean component of the Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere-Wave-Sediment-Transport model (COAWST V3.3) using a simple yet efficient linear regression approach to simulate kelp canopies. An in-situ dataset of 2-1/2 years, with and without kelp forest coverage around Isla Natividad (Baja CA, MX), allowed model validation for the main tidal constituents. We tested different vegetation drag coefficients and compared simulations with our canopy model against the standard vegetation module in COAWST. Results show that while both models simulate the velocities observed in the in situ dataset reasonably well, our model better represents turbulence kinetic energy through the water column as observed in laboratory experiments. This new kelp model can be helpful in ecology, physics, and biogeochemistry studies.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
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A kelp forest model, canopy, has been developed for the ocean component of the Coupled...
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