Division of Marine Biology and Fisheries, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33149, USA.
Ann Rev Mar Sci. 2009;1:443-66. doi: 10.1146/annurev.marine.010908.163757.
Connectivity, or the exchange of individuals among marine populations, is a central topic in marine ecology. For most benthic marine species with complex life cycles, this exchange occurs primarily during the pelagic larval stage. The small size of larvae coupled with the vast and complex fluid environment they occupy hamper our ability to quantify dispersal and connectivity. Evidence from direct and indirect approaches using geochemical and genetic techniques suggests that populations range from fully open to fully closed. Understanding the biophysical processes that contribute to observed dispersal patterns requires integrated interdisciplinary approaches that incorporate high-resolution biophysical modeling and empirical data. Further, differential postsettlement survival of larvae may add complexity to measurements of connectivity. The degree to which populations self recruit or receive subsidy from other populations has consequences for a number of fundamental ecological processes that affect population regulation and persistence. Finally, a full understanding of population connectivity has important applications for management and conservation.
连通性，或海洋种群个体之间的交流，是海洋生态学的一个核心主题。对于大多数具有复杂生命周期的底栖海洋物种来说，这种交流主要发生在浮游幼体阶段。幼体的体积小，加上它们所处的广阔而复杂的流体环境，阻碍了我们量化扩散和连通性的能力。使用地球化学和遗传技术的直接和间接方法的证据表明，种群的连通性范围从完全开放到完全封闭。理解导致观察到的扩散模式的生物物理过程需要综合的跨学科方法，将高分辨率的生物物理模型和经验数据结合起来。此外，幼虫在定居后的存活率的差异可能会使连通性的测量更加复杂。种群的自我补充或从其他种群获得补贴的程度，对许多影响种群调节和持续的基本生态过程产生影响。最后，对种群连通性的充分理解对管理和保护具有重要的应用价值。
