A biologist's guide to assessing ocean currents : a review Fossette, Sabrina, Putman, Nathan F., Lohmann, Kenneth J., Marsh, Robert and Hays, Graeme C. 2012, A biologist's guide to assessing ocean currents : a review, Marine ecology progress series, vol. 457, pp. 285-301. Attached Files Name Description MIMEType Size Downloads hays-biologistsguide-2012.pdf Published version application/pdf 3.02MB 272 Title A biologist's guide to assessing ocean currents : a review Author(s) Fossette, Sabrina Putman, Nathan F. Lohmann, Kenneth J. Marsh, Robert Hays, Graeme C. orcid.org/0000-0002-3314-8189 Journal name Marine ecology progress series Volume number 457 Start page 285 End page 301 Total pages 17 Publisher Inter-Research Place of publication Oldendorf, Germany Publication date 2012 ISSN 0171-8630 1616-1599 Keyword(s) geostrophic Ekman drift dispersal orientation turtle marine mammal plankton argos satellite-tracking Summary We review how ocean currents are measured (in both Eulerian and Lagrangian frameworks), how they are inferred from satellite observations, and how they are simulated in ocean general circulation models (OGCMs). We then consider the value of these ‘direct’ (in situ) and ‘indirect’ (inferred, simulated) approaches to biologists investigating current-induced drift of strong-swimming vertebrates as well as dispersion of small organisms in the open ocean. We subsequently describe 2 case studies. In the first, OGCM-simulated currents were compared with satellite-derived currents; analyses suggest that the 2 methods yield similar results, but that each has its own limitations and associated uncertainty. In the second analysis, numerical methods were tested using Lagrangian drifter buoys. Results indicated that currents simulated in OGCMs do not capture all details of buoy trajectories, but do successfully resolve most general aspects of current flows. We thus recommend that the errors and uncertainties in ocean current measurements, as well as limitations in spatial and temporal resolution of the surface current data, need to be considered in tracking studies that incorporate oceanographic data. Whenever possible, cross-validation of the different methods (e.g. indirect estimates versus buoy trajectories) should be undertaken before a decision is reached about which technique is best for a specific application. Language eng Field of Research 069999 Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified Socio Economic Objective 970106 Expanding Knowledge in the Biological Sciences HERDC Research category C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal Copyright notice ©2012, Inter-Research Free to Read? Yes Persistent URL http://hdl.handle.net/10536/DRO/DU:30058348 Document type: Journal Article Collections: Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment School of Life and Environmental Sciences Open Access Collection Centre for Integrative Ecology Related Links Link Description Connect to published version (restricted access) Go to link with your DU access privileges     Unless expressly stated otherwise, the copyright for items in DRO is owned by the author, with all rights reserved. Every reasonable effort has been made to ensure that permission has been obtained for items included in DRO. If you believe that your rights have been infringed by this repository, please contact drosupport@deakin.edu.au. Versions Version Filter Type Mon, 25 Nov 2013, 13:51:35 EST Tue, 26 Nov 2013, 10:40:40 EST Wed, 27 Nov 2013, 15:12:10 EST Wed, 05 Feb 2014, 12:40:12 EST Fri, 09 May 2014, 14:50:29 EST Thu, 11 Dec 2014, 19:16:49 EST Tue, 06 Sep 2016, 22:05:02 EST Sat, 14 Oct 2017, 01:34:33 EST Tue, 05 Dec 2017, 12:44:40 EST Fri, 07 Sep 2018, 16:47:48 EST Filtered Full Citation counts:   Cited 64 times in TR Web of Science Cited 67 times in Scopus Search Google Scholar Access Statistics: 882 Abstract Views, 283 File Downloads  -  Detailed Statistics Created: Mon, 25 Nov 2013, 13:51:35 EST