THREE-DIMENTIONAL CONNECTIVITY OF CORAL LARVAE IN REEF AREAS ON THE NORTHWEST COAST OF OKINAWA MAIN ISLAND, JAPAN

Abstract

 We developed a quadruple-nested downscaling oceanic circulation model coupled with a 3D Lagrangian particle tracking model for quantifying short-distance 3D transport of coral larvae in reef areas on the northwest coast of Okinawa main island, Japan. Lagrangian analysis of about 750,000 particles revealed that particles dispersed with time, although they were affected by some enclosed coastal area. Especially most of the particles released from the north side of Motobu Peninsula, located near the center of the model domain, were transported out of the area. The results of the vertical transport analysis showed us significant connectivity between the mesophotic zone (depth of 30 m or more) and shallow water areas.