Connectivity, Dispersal, and Recruitment: Connecting Benthic Communities and the Coastal Ocean

The life cycle of most benthic marine species includes a planktonic larval stage. Movement, largely by ocean currents, and survival during this stage drive patterns of variability and long-term persistence in adult populations, as well as connectivity among spatially separated populations. Here, we describe recent advances- many by PISCO-in understanding this stage and the resulting insights into population dynamics. Empirically, the past decade has seen advances in the use of both genetics (primarily parentage analysis) and ocean circulation simulations to resolve larval connectivity at ever-finer spatial and temporal scales. Additionally, deployment of standardized larval collectors at coast-wide scales has revealed striking patterns of spatial and interannual variability. In some cases, variability in larval settlement can be explained by oceanographic processes. However, there is a growing realization that predicting how many new juveniles will enter the adult population at a given location requires understanding not only larval transport pathways but also the spatial pattern and timing of larval production, and how the larval journey might affect post-larval survival and growth. Hence, a full understanding of larval connectivity requires information from benthic populations as well. This is particularly true in the context of climate change, as patterns of productivity and survival shift.