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Accurately predicting the flow speed is crucial for applications of coastal ocean circulation simulations such as sediment, larval or contaminant dispersal. This study aims to assess the accuracy of simulated flow speed in a coastal circulation model in comparison with field observations. Deviation between simulated and observed flow speed was assessed in four shallow, coastal locations and four deep, offshore locations in the Gulf of Lion (NW Mediterranean Sea) using six indicators (bias, relative bias, root mean square error, Hanna & Heinold index, correlation and scatter index). Statistical distributions of indicators were calculated during reference periods with low wind, no waves and no stratification. During these periods, relative bias indicated the model displayed a higher performance in predicting transport at shallow stations than at deep stations probably due to grid refinement at these stations. However, there was a low correlation between simulated and observed flow speed, indicating short term time/space mismatches, at all stations during reference periods. Indicators were then calculated during three types of events (wind, waves and stratification) when model assumptions were expected to be violated and their corresponding probability during reference periods indicated that neither wind, wave nor stratification events worsens model's performance. • First statistical description of simulated flow speed accuracy in the Gulf of Lion. • The model performs better at shallow depths than deep depths. • The SYMPHONIE model did not perform worse during wind, wave or stratification events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Connectivity is currently emphasised as a key factor in conservation for its role in enhancing biodiversity of an area and giving benefit to the adjacent areas. For most marine species, connectivity is synonomous of larval dispersal. We applied a spatially explicit metapopulation model to test the hypothesis that larval dispersal can affect local demographical features, consequently misleading conservation practice in the marine environment. Simulations were carried out in the Gulf of Lions where coastal circulation displays highly variable temporal and spatial submeso-scale structures. Two different benthic invertebrate species were considered: a soft bottom short lived species and a hard bottom long lived one. In the first case, simulations showed that highest densities at equilibrium do not inform on self-persistent populations location. In the second case, simulations showed that connectivity effects may result in out-of-equilibria demographical structure. We emphasised the caveats in the parameterization of demographical models when local demography is controlled by connectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mediterranean Sea hosts 5.6% of the world benthic invertebrate species on 0.82% of the ocean surface. Mediterranean ecosystems are also characterized by low densities (and biomasses) compared to other oceanic ecosystems, a feature often attributed to their oligotrophic environment. Oligotrophic conditions can induce lower growth rates and higher mortality rates, and a stronger competition for food between individuals. A theoretical model was developed in order to study the diversity vs. density patterns in coastal benthic invertebrate species. This model describes their minimal population dynamics including basic processes (growth, mortality, reproduction and effects of competitive interactions between individuals) and incorporating fluxes of larvae (finally recruited as juveniles) between a mosaic of local habitats. Populations are therefore structured in a metacommunity. The connectivity between local communities is ensured by passive pelagic larval dispersal. In the Mediterranean Sea, because of the microtidal regime, the connectivity between coastal habitats is lower and more variable than in macrotidal basins. Mathematical properties of the model revealed that competitive interactions (intra- and interspecific competitions) have a stabilizing effect on interacting organisms when gains by recruitment are higher than losses by mortality. In addition, low mortality rates and low connectivity which decreases negative local interactions maintains high regional species diversity with low local densities. This property suggested that oligotrophy cannot be the only factor leading to the high diversity–low density pattern observed in the Mediterranean Sea. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]