Extension of fine-scale circulation modelling to the Entire GBR Region (B3.4)

Task leader: Dr Lance Bode, James Cook University.

Task associate: Dr Peter Doherty, Australian Institute of Marine Science.

The aim of this task is to extend the larval transport modelling, already carried out in the Cairns Section (James et al., 2002), to the entire GBR, at the same spatial resolution of 1 nautical mile. For computational economy, a rotated grid, roughly aligned with the Queensland coast is used, with the total number of grid points being 271 x 1221.

The most recent work has involved the incorporation of a spatially varying wind field, obtained from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. The extent of the new grid has necessitated this change over the previous method of using a spatially invariant wind field. The new data extends in time from 1996 to 2002, every 6 hours. It is obtained from the Bureau’s 0.75 and 0.375-degree LAPS model of the Australian region, and is derived from data assimilation techniques. That is, the model output is “analysed” so that it is dynamically consistent with measured data.

Collaborative links have been maintained with Dr Paul Armsworth, now in the USA, on further fundamental ecological aspects of the connectivity modelling. This research has continued to involve Dr Maurice James (in an honorary capacity).