| Summary: | Marine populations display some of the most extreme patterns of spatialand temporal heterogeneity in abundance, settlement rates and other demographic factors. Usually, simplified metrics and idealized models are used to describe their interactions. However, the combination of physicaland biological information has been proven very effective, for instanceto understand dispersal. I will develop an Individual Based Model coupled to a hydrodynamical model to test a range of hypotheses on the importance of factors either regulating or adapting connectivity on various spatial and temporal scales. The commercially exploited sole will be studied as a model for larval dispersal. Patterns and dynamics will be assessed in other exploited flatfishes (plaice, turbot and brill) in a comparative connectivity analysis. I will validate the model using empirical demographic and genetic data from the central and southern North Sea and eastern English Channel. The model will be used to predict the impact of natural and anthropogenic factors on marine population connectivity and resilience. My findings will provide new insights on recruitment dynamics and dispersal rates, and provide a tool for resource management and maritime spatial planning.
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