Chapter 2: Environmental Setting

Costa, BM, Poti, M, Winship, AJ, Miller, PI and Gove, J 2016 Chapter 2: Environmental Setting. In: Costa, BM; Kendall, MS, (eds.) Marine Biogeographic Assessment of the Main Hawaiian Islands. Silver Spring, MD, USA, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 13-56, 359pp. (OCS Study BOEM 2016-035 and NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 214, OCS St).

Text (Report chapter) MHI_BioAssess 12.08.2016 Final_hawaii_ch2_env_setting.pdf - Published Version Restricted to Repository staff only Available under License All Rights Reserved. Download (7MB)

Abstract/Summary

Atmospheric and oceanographic patterns were mapped using satellite imagery and oceanographic models. These maps were used to describe the regional environment, and to develop models predicting deep-coral, cetacean, and seabird distributions. Seasons around the MHI are driven by changes in the North Pacific Subtropical High and the Aleutian Low. Winter (November to April) is cooler, rainier, and dominated by the North Pacific swell. Summer (May to October) is warmer, less rainy, and dominated by the northeasterly trade winds and swell. Mountains and submerged topography change the direction and speed of winds and currents. These interactions cause the leeward sides of the island to be warmer and drier, and create frequent convergence, mixing, upwelling, fronts and eddies in the channels between the islands (e.g., the Kaiwi, Pailolo and ʻAlenuihānā Channels), and on the leeward sides of the islands (e.g., Kona Coast, Hawaiʻi).

Item Type:	Publication - Book Section
Subjects:	Conservation Ecology and Environment Marine Sciences Planning Policies
Divisions:	Plymouth Marine Laboratory > Science Areas > Earth Observation Science and Applications
Depositing User:	Dr Peter I Miller
Date made live:	30 Nov 2016 10:34
Last Modified:	21 Nov 2018 11:41
URI:	https://plymsea.ac.uk/id/eprint/7257

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