Mark R Payne mpay@aqua.dtu.dk @MarkPayneAtWork Marine Ecological Climate Services Forecasting biology at end-user relevant time-scales Mark R Payne mpay@aqua.dtu.dk @MarkPayneAtWork
What needs to be predicted? Tommasi et al 2017 Prog. Ocean.
Can we forecast marine ecological systems in a way that is useful to end-users?
Seasonal-scale forecasting of the ocean is a reality NMME Ensemble, SST Hindcast Correlation skill, 5 months lead
Decadal-scale forecasting of the ocean is a reality Matei et al. J. Clim. 2012 MPI-ESM-LR Model, SST Hindcast Correlation skill, 2-5 years lead
Current operational forecast systems
e.g. Phenology Forecasts Gulf of Maine Lobster Forecasts
Case Study End Users Pelagic Freezer Trawler Association (NL) Timing of herring spawning in English channel Distribution of Mackerel Danish Pelagic Producers Organisation (DK) Timing of reappearance of sandeel after winter Scientific groups responsible for monitoring and giving management advice on fish quotas
Some challenges thus far How do we motivate end-users? How to communicate the potential of this idea? How to put a century of failed forecasting efforts behind us? Distinction between climate-services for science and climate-services for industry
Mark R Payne mpay@aqua.dtu.dk @MarkPayneAtWork Marine Ecological Climate Services Prediction of marine ecological quantities on seasonal and decadal time-scale is possible Basis for novel and end-user-relevant climate services Mark R Payne mpay@aqua.dtu.dk @MarkPayneAtWork
Initial Value vs Boundary Value
Convergence of initialised and uninitialised models
Contributions to predictability
Potential Predictability
Feel the fear and do it anyway
Proportion of years with suitable habitat 1985-1994 2007-2011 Can we forecast habitat?
Gulf of Australia Tuna Forecasts - Seasonal SST Habitat
Blue whiting distribution Important feed for aquaculture Third largest fishery in the world in 2004. Spawning region
Observed distribution of blue whiting Expanded distribution Compacted distribution Observed distribution of blue whiting 2007 2013 Cold & Fresh Warm & Saline
Blue Whiting habitat forecast system Basis for decadal forecasts of distribution Correlation expanded compacted Lead time [years] Design of monitoring programme