Understanding of gene flow, connectivity, and diversity is critical to predict the stability of key marine species. The Oregon coast of the U.S.A. shows fine-scale levels of geographic variation in environmental stressors such as temperature, pH, and oxygen levels, prompting questions about the potential for local adaptation. In this thesis,...
Recruitment of larvae from the plankton is an important determinant of
community structure in marine systems. In populations of many marine species,
recruitment determines the basic demographic parameters of immigration, emigration,
and reproduction. Moreover, the effect of recruitment as an "ecological subsidy" can
determine the strength of interactions among species...
Two Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Gliders have alternated continuous sampling of a 45-nautical mile transect line (the Newport Hydrographic Line) across the Oregon continental shelf since April, 2006. Strong currents (>25cm/s) push the gliders off their trajectories as they survey this transect line, preventing them from sampling the historically occupied stations...