The seasonal dynamics of Calanus finmarchicus: development of a three-dimensional structured population model and application to the northern North Sea

A weight-structured population model is described for Calanus finmarchicus. Results are presented for an area of the northern North Sea for which detailed stage succession data exist, and are discussed in the context of other models of zooplankton population dynamics for that area. The essential simplicity of the model enables embedding in a three-dimensional hydrodynamic scheme representing the northern North Sea (1° × 1° boxes, split into upper 30 m and below). Results of this spatially-resolved model are discussed in the context of a new statistical analysis of C. finmarchicus late-copepodites from the continuous plankton recorder.